It’s hard to understand how anyone can sell out the landscape and people who live in it; for developers who are anxious to make money from government subsidies, grants, tax benefits and other incentives that will shift the true cost of wind power to taxpayers and electric customers. Take this information from the Natural Resources Council of Maine.
Pete Didisheim, the council’s advocacy director who’s supporting the windmill farm in Mars Hill, said, “It’s time to start harnessing some of Maine’s strong winds for the purpose of clean energy.” He also said there are certain places where wind power should never be considered – Katahdin, Cadillac, Mount Spencer and Tumbleweed mountains.
I called Didisheim and asked, “Have you ever seen this mountain?” The answer was no.
I commend what’s been done around this mountain these past few years – an 18-hole golf course; tens of thousands of dollars spent on a ski area and next year $1 million for additional improvements, recreational trails and the Appalachian trails run over it. No less than six homes in the $200,000 range at its base and there is no scenic value? While they say those in southern Maine must preserve their landscape, it’s OK to destroy ours in northern Maine.
I say no to 33 turbines, 400 feet tall with blades the size of jumbo jets, higher taxes, lower property values and yes, higher energy bills. Not to mention the blatant destruction of this most scenic mountain. Wind power will not improve the reliability of our energy supply.
To our town manager, council and representative who decided to become a partner in this crucifixion of its mountain and landscape, I say shame on you. At least Judas got a few pieces of silver when he made his deal.
Rod Mahan
Mars Hill
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