IMPORTANT PUBLIC HEARING– Please Attend
Public Hearing on Expansion of the Expedited Wind Power Areas
Download our Guide to the Public Hearing
The Governor’s Task Force on Wind Power, comprised of industry representatives, false environmental NGOs (while grassroots community based organizations were denied participation) legislators, and energy industry lobbyists, examined how to assist Maine’s wind industry and reduce barriers to the expansion of this industry. The Task Force rushed through an Emergency bill, the “Expedited Wind Energy Law,” that passed the legislature in 15 days with virtually no discussion or debate, in April 2008.
This law places a huge part of the State within an expedited area for wind power development and allows for two agencies– Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC) and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) – to increase the expedited wind power area at the industry’s request. Currently, LURC is faced with an application from TransCanada Corporation to increase the expedited area to include all of Sisk Mountain overlooking remote, historic, scenic, and ecologically sensitive Chain of Ponds.
LURC is clearly not qualified to make such a decision, and, in realizing this, they are holding a public hearing to create the criteria with which they will make final decisions concerning the expansion of the Sisk Mountain expedited area and all future expansion requests that come before it. Friends of the Boundary Mountains is asking for the public to take a stance against this undemocratic, unconstitutional law that is threatening, Maine’s mountains, our local communities and our unique way of life!
When: Wednesday; December 16th 2009 beginning with a panel of the Governors Task Force participants at 9am followed by public comment beginning at 11: 30 and continuing into the afternoon, with a break for lunch from 12:30-1:30.
Where: Senator Inn; 284 Western Ave, Augusta
Who: Any and all who are concerned about our mountains and our energy supply!
What: LURC will be taking testimony on the expansion of the expedited areas for wind power development.
***We encourage everyone to testify in person at the public hearing; however, if you are unable to attend please submit written testimony to LURC via email at lurc@maine.gov (include in subject line “TransCanada”) for consideration by the Commission.
Contact Meg if you are able to testify or for more information at:
meg.gilmartin4@gmail.com
Download Good Testimony from a Friend of the Boundary Mountains
