Land trust fighting Oakfield wind project

15 years ago

 DEP approves plan; no start date set

By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer

    OAKFIELD — A challenge to the proposed Oakfield wind farm could stall the process and tie it up for months according to an attorney for the Martha A. Powers Land Trust that is attempting to change the proposed 51 MW project.
    Evergreen Wind Power II, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of First Wind, announced last Friday, Jan. 22, that it had received approval from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for the proposed 34 GE 1.5 MW turbines.
    Andrew Fisk, bureau director for land and water quality at the DEP, said he expects the Board of Environmental Protection, a citizen group, could get a brief in the next couple of weeks. If the matter is not settled there, “the next step for the land trust would be an appeal to the law court.”
    Rufus E. Brown is representing the land trust and said his clients object to the effect the wind farm will have on Pleasant Lake as a result of noise levels and changes to the scenic views. Thirty-four wind turbines similar to the ones First Wind constructed at Mars Hill and those near Danforth (Stetson 1) will reach a total height of 388 feet when a blade is at its apex — high enough to be seen from Interstate 95.
    Jim Sholler, an Oakfield resident who chaired the Wind Farm Review Committee, said last year that the committee had learned from the experience of two earlier wind farms in northern Maine and they put in place enforceable strategies to deal with decibel levels, ice being thrown from the blades and other potential problems like wear and tear on the blades.
    However, that is not satisfying the environmentalist group, according to Brown, who also expressed concerns over the company’s financial viability. He said there is “inadequate funding for decommissioning” the project if it shuts down or if the company goes out of business. According to Brown, the proposal to sell the turbines for salvage in the event of a shutdown would not be sufficient.
    And, Brown said, DEP allowed the project to defer decommissioning costs “until much later instead of up front. We don’t disagree with what they said it would cost to decommission it. We disagree with their use of salvage to pay for that.” Brown added that “the goal is to lessen the impact on Pleasant Lake, to make an adequate provision for decommissioning and to provide more setbacks for sound.”
    Town Manager Dale Morris said basically many in the town are excited about the project that could mean nearly $16 million for Oakfield over 20 years. The new revenue would flow in through credit enhancement agreements and a community benefit fund that will mean $800-$1,000 a year to homeowners with Homestead Exemptions. Morris said the site for the project is Sam Drew Mountain in Oakfield.
    Spokesman for the wind farm, John Lamontagne, said the construction date has not been set and financing has not been established. He also acknowledged that in addition to the 30-day appeal process Evergreen Wind must get a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers.
    As for the relationship between the town and the developer, Lamontagne said it has been “wonderful” and input from the town’s review committee was helpful. “The bottom line,” he said “is the appeal and how long of a delay there will be.”