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Wind Power

The Fastest Growing Power Sector

Wind Links

Wind development is desirable for many reasons. Most importantly wind energy can play an important role in decreasing our dependence on fossil fuels. Wind power does not require harmful extractive processes like mountaintop removal or uranium mining. Increasing wind production will diversify our electricity sources and improve both grid reliability and energy security.  In addition, wind turbines are easier to dismantle and their sites are easier to restore than fossil and nuclear facilities, and wind is becoming more economically competitive, especially with fluctuating natural gas prices.

Photo by Warren Gretz

Governor's Task Force on Wind Power Development in Maine

Since 2004 the Maine Chapter has called for the state to update a comprehensive plan for siting all energy facilities, including (Liquified Natural Gas) LNG, wind, biomass, and fossil fuel electric generation.  We are encouraged by Governor Baldacci’s executive order establishing a task force on wind power development and will closely follow its progress.

 The Sierra Club recognizes that all forms of power generation entail environmental tradeoffs, and that there are drawbacks to wind development.  Decisions about the siting of energy-related facilities can only be made in the context of sound overall land-use planning. We believe there are appropriate sites in Maine where wind power can be responsibly sited and generated that do not conflict with protected areas such as national and state parks, national monuments, wilderness areas, wildlife refuges, designated roadless areas, critical habitat and designated habitat recovery areas for wildlife, and other areas that have special scenic, natural or environmental value. 

Governor Baldacci’s Executive Order and information about the Task Force can be found at:

http://www.maine.gov/doc/mfs/windpower/summaries.shtml

More Information/Wind Links.