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Portugal's largest energy company, 'Energias de Portugal', owner of 'Horizon Wind Energy' of Houston, (operating under the name of 'Aroostook Wind Energy') has got BIG PLANS for Fort Kent, Maine. On their planning table is the placement of hundreds of industrial wind turbines in or near the town of Fort Kent, turning our beloved area into an industrial ‘Windfarm’. Each of these towers reach 480 feet in the air and are visible with the naked eye as much as 50 miles away.
If you have driven past Mars Hill in the last year, you have some idea of the size of these giants and the visual impact that they have even from many miles away. (The windmills proposed for Fort Kent are 100 feet TALLER than these.) But this visual, ‘aesthetic’ insult is only a small part of what these towers bring with them. They also create a loud industrial noise, a high ‘whine’ with a constant ‘thump’ as the huge blades pass the tower. This sound travels for miles. At closer distances it penetrates houses with ease. The people of Mars Hill that are unfortunate enough to be located downwind of the towers have been put in a nightmare situation of choosing between living under the assault of this noise 24/7 or selling their homes for what they can get and moving away.
All this is being done with the blessing and encouragement of Maine state government. The Maine ‘Wind Energy Taskforce’ recently decided NOT to allow the development of these notorious 'windfarms' in the unpopulated North Maine Woods where they could possibly offend the 'aesthetic' sensibilities of recreationalists and harm wildlife that might itself choose not to live (i.e. to die) under the assault of their oppressive noise. So... where to put them?.... In the communities of Northern Maine, specifically in or near town limits to make it easier for DEP regulators wielding decibel meters to allow them. It should be noted that allowable DEP noise levels are nearly twice as high as what the World Health Organization recommends. (30db vs 50db).
Is this what we want for our future? It is in our hands alone to decide. On these issues, local ordinances cannot be overridden by state mandate.
The company's two best friends are landowner’s desire to make a ‘good buck’ from the deal (completely understandable) and a lack of knowledge about the project among the town's people, landowner’s included. In answer to this and at this late date (the pre-construction phase of the project is already well underway), we have set up this website.
Also, town government is in the process of organizing a public forum at the University of Maine at Fort Kent for the purpose of informing the town about the decisions that they face. Notice of the time and place will be forthcoming on the website and elsewhere. Please consider attending this forum and upcoming town council meetings on the issue. And please contact your local and state government officials to let them know of your concern.
Mark Aman
Fort Kent
April 17, 2008
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