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Poll results

A planned 30-turbine wind farm in Washington County could add (renewable) fuel to a fire that has long simmered in Maine.

The $270 million, 126-megawatt development is expected to break ground late next year in the town of Columbia and several unorganized areas. The state already has 17 wind facilities online, generating over 900 megawatts of "clean" power, Mainebiz reported in 2018.

But onshore wind facilities have drawn criticism that they detract from Maine's natural beauty, threaten the tourism industry and endanger wildlife. The developer of the Downeast Wind project in Washington County, Apex Clean Energy, says it's trying to mitigate those risks.

Is development of wind farms like the Downeast Wind facility a good thing for Maine?
Yes (41%, 88 VOTES)
No (59%, 128 VOTES)
Poll Description

A planned 30-turbine wind farm in Washington County could add (renewable) fuel to a fire that has long simmered in Maine.

The $270 million, 126-megawatt development is expected to break ground late next year in the town of Columbia and several unorganized areas. The state already has 17 wind facilities online, generating over 900 megawatts of "clean" power, Mainebiz reported in 2018.

But onshore wind facilities have drawn criticism that they detract from Maine's natural beauty, threaten the tourism industry and endanger wildlife. The developer of the Downeast Wind project in Washington County, Apex Clean Energy, says it's trying to mitigate those risks.

  • 216 Votes
  • 15 Comments
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15 Comments

  • January 22, 2020

    We must eliminate all fossil fuels ASAP. Wind turbines are a critical step in this direction. Those who don’t like them must include those who love forest fires, ocean rises of hundreds of feet over a few hundred years, and the ability to experience both drought and flooding.

  • January 22, 2020
    It is hard to fathom why the media has given a good-leaving-alone to the environmental damage these absurd wind turbine plantation cause. From the staggering number of birds,bats,eagles etc killed by the blades (and the pressure drop created by them which is the primary bat-killer) ,to the absolutely ridiculous amount of non-recyclable materials in the massive blade assemblies ... and many other negative side effects of the installations,it is shameful that Maine Media is even vaguely considering industrial scale wind technology as anything but a subsidized scam.
  • January 22, 2020

    With bats on the endangered species list in Maine, corraling the Great Heath with 650 foot tall bat-killing machines is illegal, is it not?

  • January 22, 2020

    Burning fossil fuels for energy and heat is killing are planet. Renewable sources of energy are absolutely necessary, unless we all want live in a cold, dark world. Everything we humans do has an impact on the planet, but these arguments and NIMBYism around renewable energy projects are foolish. Not one tourist stays away from Maine because they can see a wind turbine! Come on, people.

  • January 22, 2020

    I don't believe this is a yes or no question. Where will the turbines go? Who pays for them? How much energy does each one produce and how does it equate to regular electricity? For example, does one turbine produce enough electricity in a year to provide all of the electrical needs for 50 houses in a year (assuming normal electricity consumption)? How long does it take for the turbine to pay for itself (especially if any or our tax dollars are being used or wasted)? Who owns the electricity it produces and where is it sold? Can the owner of the produced electricity sell it to whomever they want for as much as they want? Does the electricity stay in Maine? Your question is too simple because the answers vary considerably depending on the facts!