To the Editor,
Lincoln News


I recently made my annual migration to my camp in Lakeville. I love the Lincoln Lakes Region. I live here 6 months out of every year. I buy all my groceries, gas and supplies in this area. My legal residence may not be here but my heart and soul are.

As I drove along Route 6 I encountered a convoy of trucks carrying enormous white wind turbine blades. Once I settled in, I picked up the Lincoln News and read about the approval of the Rollins Mountain Industrial Wind Project. I was shocked, disappointed and disheartened.

After educating myself about wind power in general and the Rollins Mountain Project in particular, I had to ask myself, how could Lincoln, Burlington, Lee, Winn and Mattawamkeag sell their economic future so cheaply?

EVEN IF
the Department of Energy had determined that this region has wind enough to support an industrial wind park, (It didn't. The DOE classifies its potential as ‘poor'‚ their lowest rating.);

EVEN IF
the project had received a thorough and open examination, (It didn't. Governor Baldacci's Wind Task Force expedites wind projects by eliminating environmental requirements and limiting public input.);

EVEN IF
the project developer hadn't been under investigation in New York for alleged improper dealings with public officials, submitting false statements and falsifying environmental studies in order to obtain permits, (They are.);

EVEN IF
the electricity produced stayed in Maine to help keep rates down, (It won't. It all goes to Massachusetts.);

EVEN IF
the project created a significant number of jobs for local citizens, (So far we have all the parts manufactured overseas and delivered to Chester by a trucking company out of Troy, Michigan. Once they're constructed, I doubt many permanent jobs will be created.);

EVEN IF
the current grid could handle the power generated, (It can’t. Because it’s currently at capacity and must by law make room for wind generated power, existing hydro- and bio-mass plants must be throttled back.);

EVEN IF
wind power were inexpensive, (It's not. Manufacturing the hardware, importing the hardware, installing the turbines and maintaining them consumes more energy than they can produce, even under ideal conditions. To be economically viable wind power needs massive taxpayer subsidies, significant tax breaks and the privilege to sell renewable energy tax credits.);

EVEN IF
wind power was more ‘green', (It's not. Because existing fossil-fuel plants must occasionally be throttled back, they create greater pollutants than usual. In addition, the turbines themselves rely on enormous amounts of petroleum-based lubricants.);

EVEN IF
the affected Towns received reasonable compensation via the already accepted TIF financing, (First Wind must have been overjoyed when the Lincoln Town Council accepted their first counter-offer!);

EVEN IF
the Towns affected didn't lose valuable property tax revenue due to the reassessment and devaluation of all impacted properties, (And to be fair, they must. After all, by accepting the TIF they are acknowledging the increased value of this new 20+ mile long industrial park.);

EVEN IF
the project would not restrict recreational access to miles of undeveloped woodlands and would not pox the landscape with its massive roads, cutting and blasting, (Of course, it will.);

EVEN IF
The project didn't require that an additional 20 miles be clear cut for the transmission lines connecting the project to the grid, (Sadly, it does.);

EVEN IF
the 40 massive GE 1.5 megawatt turbines would not be visible, (Each of the 40 turbines will stand 389' above the ridgelines. Why not use bigger turbines and fewer towers?);

EVEN IF
the turbines do not create noise, day flicker, night light, adverse health effects, and negatively impact wildlife, (Now that these industrial wind farms are becoming more common, is there anyone left who would argue that they don't? Of course they do.);

EVEN IF ALL THESE THINGS WERE TRUE,
how can the Town of Lincoln not recognize that its single most valuable asset lies in its glorious forests, mountains and lakes? Many people come to the Lincoln Lakes Region because it is among the few places that have stood up to the greed that has destroyed so much of our country's natural splendor. Some may resent it but this Region benefits greatly from the money spent by tourists and summer guests like me.

As the stewards of this magnificent region, we are blessed with the responsibility to preserve it for the long term benefit of future generations. If we continue on our current path, will our grandchildren marvel at our wisdom and foresight? Will they applaud us for decapitating natural ridgelines in favor of creating industrial wind plants? Or will they shake their heads in amazement that we were blinded by our myopic selfishness and sold their future for empty promises?

Sincerely,


Gary Campbell
Lakeville, Maine