just thought id post this email i received today from matc:
Dear Friends of the Maine Appalachian Trail Club,
Happy New Year and welcome to our 79th year maintaining Maine’s section of the Appalachian Trail.
While much remains the same on the A.T., changes are taking place. One impact to the trail is wind power and these projects are making headlines. Here is the latest news from Tony Barrett and Tom Lewis, co-chairs of MATC’s Wind Power Committee.
MATC’s Wind Power Committee
Since our inception in 2008, MATC’s Wind Power Committee monitors and reacts to pending wind power projects along Maine’s section of the A.T. We have a very dynamic committee thanks to members Steve Clark, Laura Flight, Lester Kenway, Bill Millis and Milt Wright.
A Brief Background
MATC’s approach is to review a wind power project, assess its impact to the A.T. and adopt a case-by-case response. In all instances, the Appalachian Trail remains our primary focus.
Simply put, MATC is pro-Appalachian Trail, not anti-wind power.
View of White Cap
MATC's Legislation: An Act to Protect Maine's Scenic Character
The recent flurry of wind power project permit applications demanded MATC take a pro-active approach. Last January, MATC introduced LD 1147 An Act to Protect Maine’s Scenic Character in response to deficiencies in the Maine Wind Energy Act given the scale of current projects.
This bill includes safeguards that eliminate the provision that scenic impacts beyond 8-miles are deemed insignificant; expands the distance where a visual impact assessment may be required to 15-miles; requires that cumulative effects be considered in permitting decisions given the pace of wind power development in the state; and requires development of rules governing decommissioning for all permitted projects. We encourage you to read LD 1147 online.
LD 1147 Public Hearing - January 13, 2014
The bill was carried over to the upcoming legislative session and a public hearing is scheduled for next Monday, January 13, 2014. Please contact Tony Barrett or Tom Lewis by email if you would like to become involved or have questions.
Links to Information
Please go to MATC’s Website, under “Issues & Education” click on the Wind Power button. You’ll find links to MATC’s Wind Power Policy, MATC’s 2013 Committee Report, and MATC’s bill, LD 1147: An Act to Protect Maine’s Scenic Character.
The committee will have an article in the upcoming edition of the MaineTainer and looks forward to providing timely updates.
Thank you,
Lester C. Kenway
President
Dear Friends of the Maine Appalachian Trail Club,
Happy New Year and welcome to our 79th year maintaining Maine’s section of the Appalachian Trail.
While much remains the same on the A.T., changes are taking place. One impact to the trail is wind power and these projects are making headlines. Here is the latest news from Tony Barrett and Tom Lewis, co-chairs of MATC’s Wind Power Committee.
MATC’s Wind Power Committee
Since our inception in 2008, MATC’s Wind Power Committee monitors and reacts to pending wind power projects along Maine’s section of the A.T. We have a very dynamic committee thanks to members Steve Clark, Laura Flight, Lester Kenway, Bill Millis and Milt Wright.
A Brief Background
MATC’s approach is to review a wind power project, assess its impact to the A.T. and adopt a case-by-case response. In all instances, the Appalachian Trail remains our primary focus.
Simply put, MATC is pro-Appalachian Trail, not anti-wind power.
View of White Cap
MATC's Legislation: An Act to Protect Maine's Scenic Character
The recent flurry of wind power project permit applications demanded MATC take a pro-active approach. Last January, MATC introduced LD 1147 An Act to Protect Maine’s Scenic Character in response to deficiencies in the Maine Wind Energy Act given the scale of current projects.
This bill includes safeguards that eliminate the provision that scenic impacts beyond 8-miles are deemed insignificant; expands the distance where a visual impact assessment may be required to 15-miles; requires that cumulative effects be considered in permitting decisions given the pace of wind power development in the state; and requires development of rules governing decommissioning for all permitted projects. We encourage you to read LD 1147 online.
LD 1147 Public Hearing - January 13, 2014
The bill was carried over to the upcoming legislative session and a public hearing is scheduled for next Monday, January 13, 2014. Please contact Tony Barrett or Tom Lewis by email if you would like to become involved or have questions.
Links to Information
Please go to MATC’s Website, under “Issues & Education” click on the Wind Power button. You’ll find links to MATC’s Wind Power Policy, MATC’s 2013 Committee Report, and MATC’s bill, LD 1147: An Act to Protect Maine’s Scenic Character.
The committee will have an article in the upcoming edition of the MaineTainer and looks forward to providing timely updates.
Thank you,
Lester C. Kenway
President
its all good