Highland wind project scaled back
Developers of a wind power project near Bigelow Preserve have submitted a revised plan to state regulators that reduces the number of proposed turbines and includes money for land conservation.
Developer Independence Wind's revised application to the Land Use Regulation Commission addresses rights and title concerns raised by the agency eight months ago that caused the company to put the Highland Wind project in Somerset County on hold, according to a press release. Among the changes are reducing the number of proposed turbines from 48 to 39; dedicating $750,000 to land conservation; increasing the distance between the turbines and the Appalachian Trail; granting a permanent easement to the state prohibiting wind development on the highest ridge; and giving Highland Plantation homeowners $6,000 grants for energy-efficiency projects to reduce their heating oil consumption.
The original plan generated opposition from several conservation groups and the Appalachian Mountain Club. Former Gov. Angus King, a principal of Independence Wind, told the Bangor Daily News he expects the $210 million project will get a hearing in the spring if LURC deems the revised plan complete, with a decision expected within nine months.
Go to the article from the Bangor Daily News>>
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