Wind power

I too have difficulty understanding the fuss. I understand the "problems" opponents have identified, but I don't believe them to be as drastic as they are portrayed. I need scientific proof that these towers produce the noise and harmonic disturbance that is indicated. I support clean energy efforts. There is just something about clean air that appeals to me.

A concern for me is that we will be putting these not so pretty wind turbines on our beautiful mountains to generate power that will be sold to other states. I think Maine generates enough electricity to supply itself. For an individual to erect a wind turbine to lessen their own dependence to CMP makes more sense to me but even then, I think solar panels actually harness more reliable energy.

With all this coverage of the wind power proposal in Roxbury many people have missed the fact that UPC Wind is going to place somewhere around 16 towers in Rumford. They will extend from just south of South Twin mountain in Roxbury to Black Mountain. If you drive up Rt 17 towards Roxbury look left - you'll see the towers on the mountain range above Rt 120 all the way up to just below the Frye Bridge... Should the zoning change in Roxbury pass this line would be extended north by an additional 4-6 towers on North and South twin just south of the Roxbury Notch Rd.Mark

The proposed wind farm in Roxbury will not be the end-all to our energy woes. There are sound arguments on both sides of the issue. But I am bothered by the stand taken by many of the opponents that a wind farm will ruin the beauty of the area and create noise. I venture to guess that a majority of these opponents zip along the pond on their jet skiis or in their motorboats, ride through the woods on the many miles of cleared trails on their two-cycle (noisy and polluting) snowmobiles or on their muck-raking four-wheelers, stopping now and then to make calls on their cell phones (towers all over the place). Roxbury Pond has lost a great deal of the serenity it once had; it's become a mecca for four-wheelers and snow machines. Seems like it's OK to clear the land and disturb the beauty for recreational reasons but not for alternative and sustainable energies.
And for those who argue that the energy produced would be sold out of state, so what? We live in ONE world. Unfortunately, we are quickly destroying it.

C wrote:A concern for me is that we will be putting these not so pretty wind turbines on our beautiful mountains to generate power that will be sold to other states.

Perhaps we should regulate Maine businesses to ensure that they only sell their product to in-state users? I mean, I'm sure that we could find enough uses for all that paper New Page makes without exporting it, and I'd be happy to eat more lobster if only we would stop sending that all over the world as well ....

Sounds silly, no???

Mark H

I say put the towers up. we can decorate them with the cahnge of seasons! It's not the end to our energy woes, but I'm sure every little bit helps. I have been throwing around the idea for my own home.

I think it's just a matter of time before we take advantage of clean, renewable energy, even if it means we have to live with some visual polution. It beats the polution from oil and nuclear power plants.