THE EDDINGTON WIND ORDINANCE PUBLIC HEARING

The Public Hearing last Thursday evening on the proposed wind ordinance was both interesting and informative. Unfortunately, only about twenty people attended – normal for Eddington. It was the last of two Public Hearings on the matter. The first one had an attendance of 57. Fewer than 100 people out of over 2000 registered voters. With so much on the line, no further comment is necessary.

This will be an important decision for the town.

The vote on the ordinance will be taken at the Town Meeting March 22. If this ordinance, as written, fails, anyone wanting to put up a wind turbine will be able to do so with few restrictions.

Two companies have expressed interest in exploring a project in Eddington. One is Cianbro in Brewer, ME; the other is Eolian in Portmouth, NH. If this ordinance, as written, passes, both of the two companies have indicated they will withdraw any consideration of bringing their business to our town. This can cost Eddington millions in the town's tax base and employment opportunities.

This writer listened with interest to some of those who spoke up Thursday. I will admit, some were so closed-minded to the thought of any wind turbines anywhere, not just in Eddington, I found it difficult to consider their comments objectively.

However, the following information did cause me to pause re the establishment of wind turbines here:

1. If a turbine fails, or comes to the end of its lifetime or the company that built it goes into bankruptcy, the town is left with a monstrosity and an environmental disaster area. (What I did not realize before the meeting: the entire site for the number of turbines would be leveled – trees and growth removed and the ground [probably] asphalted. We are talking about a significant area depending upon the number of turbines. If the site is the top of a mountain, scenic views are destroyed permanently.) Roads to the turbine site are may need to be cut through forested areas, as well. If the company abandons the project, the town is left with unattended roads and an eyesore.

A Possible Solution to this issue would be a required Bond to cover the cost of removal of any and all turbines and restitution of the site and road area prior to the issuance of any permit.

The town now requires Bonds from housing project developers to insure roads, culverts, etc. are completed. Something similar could be required for wind turbine developers. HOWEVER, this requirement would need to be added to the existing document. And should be. There is always the possibility that some developers could come along and meet even the conservative/stringent requirement in the proposed ordinance. It may be that this should be an addendum to be added at the town meeting EVEN if the current proposed ordinance is passed. Consider it an Insurance Policy.

2. The members of the Planning Board reviewed extensive documents, films, websites, etc. of wind turbine projects in Sweden, Norway and Germany as well as in the United States. Members of the Board stated that communities in the other countries are now trying to shut down and prohibit these projects in communities for a variety of reasons. It was obvious the Board has done a lot of work in preparing the proposed ordinance and they should be commended.

3. The Mars Hill Project. People in Eddington have heard of the problems people living in Mars Hill are experiencing. While their project meets the state’s requirements, doctors have tested people living up to 3,000 feet away from the turbines. Doctors have found those people are experiencing problems from either the constant noise or vibrations. The proposed Eddington wind ordinance has conservative setback guidelines for industrial/commercial operation turbines with specific requirements for waivers.

4. The Eddington proposed ordinance sets specific requirements for residential towers and for large commercial/industrial turbine operations.

5. It was reported that at least one of the businesses that approached the Planning Board stated they would not be interested in these projected if they did not receive federal stimulus money to do them. (If the stimulus money is cut, what happens to a project? To the town?)

6. One of the businesses expressing interest in a wind energy project in Eddington stated to this writer that negotiations with a town usually results in about $2,000.00/year per turbine for the life of the turbine. While this sounds great from the point of adding to the tax base, some people at Thursday’s meeting stated the more income the town receives from such a project meets with equal revenue sharing cuts from the state. Bottom line: Every dollar gained from a project would result in equal dollars lost from state revenue. Whether or not this is true, I don't know. However, it only adds more justification to obtaining a Bond up front for “end-of-project” take-down and clean-up.

In conclusion: Any resident who did not attend one of the Public Hearings should go to the Town Office and obtain a copy of the proposed Wind Ordinance and READ IT. Then plan to attend the Town Meeting March 22 at the Eddington Elementary School at 7:30pm and VOTE.