A WIND WIN SITUATION

Watchers of a proposed wind farm atop Mars Hill are right to be concerned about what precedent the project will set. Maine Audubon wants the project delayed and further study conducted so a precedent of leniency is not set, a valid concern but not reason to delay and overburden the project to install 33 wind turbines atop Mars Hill in Aroostook County. A better precedent can be set if the Department of Environmental Protection approves this nonpolluting, alternative energy project.

The DEP is now weighing comments filed by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and Maine Audubon about the turbines’ potential effect on migrating birds. The department originally wanted the project stopped until studies could be done of migration patterns of birds in the area. Now, the department says the project should be permitted with the studies to begin this spring and continue for two years. If the wind turbines are harming birds, changes should be made to stop it, the commissioner wrote in a recent letter to the DEP. The agency is now waiting for a plan from Evergreen Wind Power LLC detailing what changes they would make if birds are harmed by the project.

Because the migration patterns of birds and bats in the area are unknown, Maine Audubon continues to advocate for completing the studies before beginning the project. IF&W’s suggestion, which the company has agreed to, addresses these concerns while allowing the project to move forward. This is a reasonable compromise.

Wind power offers measurable environmental benefits – which will help birds as well as people. The Mars Hill project could reduce annual emissions of carbon dioxide by 120,000 tons and sulfur dioxide by 420 tons if it displaces dirtier forms of energy generation such as coal and oil.

A potentially bigger problem for Evergreen Wind Power LLC than the DEP permit is Congress’ delay in handling a jobs bill that contains tax credits for alternative energy projects. The tax credits for wind and biomass facilities expired in December but would be renewed if the Foreign Sales Corp.-Export Trade Incentives Act is passed. All the members of Maine’s congressional delegation support the tax credit, which has been passed by the Senate, but is hung up in the House.

Without the tax credit, the project could be delayed until next year, according to the company. Because of uncertainty in the world’s energy markets, financing for energy projects is hard to secure, making the tax credits all the more important. Further, energy projects are increasingly controversial as witnessed by the rancor over the location of a liquefied natural gas terminal in Maine.

Permitting a wind project will show that generating energy from alternative sources is feasible and can be done with minimal environmental damage. Helping pay for it will show such projects are worthwhile.