[at-l] Appalachian Trail victory

[Bob C]

Black Nubble Wind Power Proposal defeated

    Good, in fact Great News.  Today, Jan. 14, the LURC commissioners voted 4-2 to have their staff prepare a document of denial in regard to the MMP’s application to build a 18 turbine wind power facility on Black Nubble Mountain, near Saddleback in Maine.
 
    The vote to deny was voted upon after a motion was made to approve the application.  This motion was voted down by a vote of 2-4.  The vote to deny the application was taken immediately following the initial vote.  
    The key concern discussed at length revolved around the proposed project’s effect on scenic qualities.  Other issues such as bat and bird mortality, the effect of building roads on such steep slopes, the financial viability of the applicant, and the applicant’s conflicting statements regarding the project’s ability to make money as compared to the original Redington inclusive proposal.  
 
    What will now occur is that as soon as the staff prepares a document of denial, the commission will vote upon it one final time.  It is presumed that they will confirm this and the project will be dead. 
 
    However, Harley Lee in a statement to the press after the vote said that after the state completes a new review procedure for wind developments, he said that at that time, he may reapply for the project.  
He evidently is reluctant to try another place for his wind schemes. 

    So the project at this time appears dead, but certainly it is not buried.      
    We hope with time and reflection that other future developers will understand that the MATC  and the Appalachian TRail Conservancy are not opposed to wind power development, rather that they must take into account the substantial  national values of the Appalachian Trail.  
The Maine Appalachian TRail Club was the lead opponent. It had help from AMC, Maine Audubon Society, and local mountain protection groups.
    
Weary





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