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• At 39 proposed turbines, Highland would be one of the largest wind projects in Maine.
• Bigelow Mountain, a National Natural landmark and a natural resource of statewide significance, is located in the Bigelow Preserve just to the northwest of the project area.
• In June 1976, the voters of Maine made the decision to protect and preserve the Bigelow Mountain Range, located in both Franklin and Somerset counties.  Wind turbines do not fit harmoniously into landscapes that have been carefully preserved in their natural state.
• The closest turbines would be 3 miles from the Bigelow Preserve and the AT.
• Popular viewpoints would be 41/2 miles from the closest turbines.
• The Highland wind turbines, particularly those on Stewart Mtn., would be the dominant landscape feature especially from Avery Peak and Little Bigelow Mtn.
• The project would easily be seen from viewpoints along 60 miles of the AT (Pleasant Pond Mtn. to Spaulding Mtn. – 15-mile line-of-sight distance) – often for long trail sections along open ridgelines.
• The Appalachian Trail hiking experience in Maine is unique for its ‘perception of wilderness’ hiking experience.  Wind turbines in close proximity to the trail will detract from that experience.
• Once an initial wind power project is established, the associated infrastructure improve the economics to develop expansions, ‘Phase 2s” and new projects.  These multiple wind-generation facilities will cumulatively “nibble to death” the distinctive landscape character of the western Maine mountains.

• Developers say we have to stop saying “No” to wind. There are six operating and at least a dozen more developing utility wind power projects in Maine. MATC has only opposed one wind project to date, the Reddington/Black Nubble project.  It is the only project to be denied permits by state agencies (for sound reasons).  MATC has not opposed two other projects within view of the AT.  Maine currently produces more wind power than all the other New England states combined.
• Developers say that wind will reduce our reliance on foreign energy. Transportation and heating fuels comprise 75% of Maine’s energy mix.  Wind power doesn’t address the energy security issues of these imported fuels.  Most of Maine’s electricity is fueled by natural gas from North America and other renewable sources.  Maine currently produces more electricity than it consumes.  Wind power will not reduce oil imports (more efficient vehicles and weatherization are example investments that will reduce oil imports).
• Developers say that wind power is renewable energy.  What they don’t say is that the Highland wind project, given its location on the grid, may simply be replacing other renewable power sources.  The Kibby wind project, regional biomass plants as well as the Highland wind project connect to the grid near the Wyman hydro facility.  When the wind blows, will these other renewable power sources simply be ‘dialed back’?
• Developers say that wind power will reduce our use of fossil fuels.  The Western Mountains of Maine are one of the worst places to erect a wind power plant if one’s goal is to displace or avoid fossil fuels.  Turbines should be located near the fossil fuel plants (i.e. the Ohio River valley) or with short distance transmission line connections to them.  If the Highland Wind project displaces any fossil fuel, it will likely be the cleanest kind – Natural Gas.
• Developers say that wind turbines are attractive. Some people may characterize wind turbines as kinetic sculpture and find their design pleasing.  However, the placement of 400-foot tall pieces of art in a forested landscape is totally inappropriate.  Such monumental art forms should be sited in more appropriate altered or developed landscapes.
• Developers say that wind turbines will even promote tourism.  This claim is totally unfounded.  There is no evidence that any industrial wind project in the world has become a tourism destination.  Maine is unique amongst the eastern states. Tourists come to the Western Mountains of Maine for its natural beauty and quality of place.  Wind turbines will detract, not promote, tourism.
• Developers say that wind power is clean energy.  For the Highland wind power project to reduce emissions, it must displace the operation of fossil-fueled plants, particularly the Midwest coal-fueled plants which are the leading source of methyl mercury, acid rain and lung-health pollutants in Maine.  Highland wind power has no transmission connection to coal-fired plants and no means to ‘cycle-down’ these large steam generators.  In a perverse twist, Maine wind-power developers could sell Renewable Energy Credits to these same Midwest coal-fired plants that would then maintain or increase the flow of air pollution coming to Maine.

The societal benefits of the Highland Wind Project are suspect yet the costs to ratepayers, taxpayers and to Maine’s Quality of Place are much more certain.  MATC does not feel the degradation of Maine’s mountains, especially to the experience of visiting the iconic Bigelow range, is an appropriate tradeoff for the financial benefits which will mainly accrue to the equipment manufacturers, installers and developers of the Highland Wind Power project.

Updated February 25, 2011