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October 6, 2011

Bull Hill wind farm approved

By The Mainebiz News Staff

Regulators yesterday approved First Wind's proposal to build a 19-turbine wind farm in Hancock County, but with additional noise control and financial requirements.

The Land Use Regulation Commission unanimously voted to support the $78.5 million Bull Hill wind farm near Eastbrook proposed by Blue Sky East LLC, a subsidiary of Massachusetts-based First Wind, according to the Bangor Daily News. Commissioners, however, did impose a stricter nighttime noise limit of 40 decibels, five decibels below current Department of Environmental Protection standards and three decibels below a revised limit under consideration. Eastbrook residents had sought the stricter limit through an ordinance. LURC also required Blue Sky to line up financing for the project before construction begins, set aside more money to decommission and remove the turbines should the project cease operating, and monitor bird and bat impacts for several years. In August, LURC gave the project initial approval.

Commissioners were expected to hold a straw poll on First Wind's 25-turbine Bowers Mountain project on the Washington-Penobscot county line, but opted instead to schedule another meeting Oct. 19.

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