Baldacci had created the task force by Executive Order last May and charged the group with reviewing the regulations that affect the development of wind power projects and recommend any changes that would assure that Maine has a balanced, efficient and appropriate regulatory framework for evaluating proposed projects.  Here is a summary of the report:

Wind Power Development Goals:  The Task Force recommends that Maine seek to host at least 2000 mW of installed wind power capacity by 2015, and at least 3,000 mW by 2020.  The Task Force believes that at least 300 mW of the 2020 goal could be achieved with projects built off-shore. 

Energy and Climate Context:   Wind power should be developed as part of a broad energy policy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, increase energy security, diversify energy sources, and reduce impacts caused by energy generation to meet a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 10% below 1990 levels by 2020 – a goal agreed to by all New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers in 2001 and enacted into Maine law in 2003.

New England Wind Resource:  Because of its size and geography, Maine has as much wind resource potential onshore as the rest of New England combined.  Maine should be a leader in wind power development, but the Task Force believes that the other New England states must do their part in reducing our dependence on fossil fuel and meeting our climate goals. 

Expedited Permitting Areas:  The Task Force identified Expedited Permitting Areas in Maine where streamlined permitting procedures would apply.  The Expedited Permitting Areas would include all organized towns, including nearly all of southern and midcoast Maine, and portions of Maine’s unorganized territories that generally are on the fringe of the Land Use Regulation Commission’s jurisdiction, and areas within approximately one township of certain public highways. 

Streamlined Permitting:  Within Expedited Permitting Areas, the Task Force recommends that a project’s effect on scenic character be limited to consideration of the visual impact of the wind turbines on public resources of statewide or national significance, such as within three miles of the Appalachian Trail, or within sight of the Rockland Breakwater.   For projects in the expedited areas within the unorganized territories, rezoning would not be required. 

Consistent Permitting Processes:  The Task Force recommends that DEP and LURC harmonize their two regulatory approaches to wind power projects, to facilitate the process of reaching decisions as soon as  practicable, and that LURC adopt DEP’s approach and standards.

Guidance for Bird and Bat Studies:  The Task Force endorsed guidelines for assessing potential avian and bat impacts, noise impacts, and shadow flicker, and recommends that these approaches be utilized by review agencies based on the best scientific judgment.

Tangible Benefits for Maine People:  The Task Force recommends adding regulatory review criteria for wind projects requiring applicants to provide a showing of significant benefits to Maine people and our environment, and to describe those benefits in their application.  Such benefits may include construction-related employment; local purchase of materials; property taxes; reduced electrical rates; natural resource conservation; or other comparable benefits, with particular assurance of such benefits to the host community.

Economic Benefits:  The level of wind power proposed by the Task Force could provide significant economic benefits for Maine.  Construction of 3000 mW of wind farms would involve billions of dollars in capital investment and would generate more than $25 million in annual property payments.  Lease payments also could be substantial.  Construction of wind projects would involve dozens of Maine companies and employ hundreds of workers over an extended period.  Each megawatt of installed capacity is likely to generate over $125,000 in construction wages.

Community Wind Power:  The Task Force believes that small- and community-scale wind power projects have a meaningful role in Maine, and could be facilitated through development of a model municipal ordinance, actions to remove obstacles at the pre-construction stage, creation of a data clearinghouse, and establishment of a range of financial incentives.  Specific recommendations are provided by the Task Force in each of these areas. 

Offshore Wind Power:  Offshore wind power projects may not be economically viable in the near term, yet the Task Force strongly recommends that Maine actively work to understand the potential for offshore projects and be in a position to promote such projects as the technology and economics allow.   Specifically, the State should develop rules regarding leasing for large scale projects that would utilize the state’s submerged lands; develop guidance regarding siting of offshore projects; monitor federal regulatory programs for offshore wind; and help Maine’s universities, colleges, and private engineering and construction firms explore ways to become leaders in offshore wind power. 

Tracking Progress:  The Task Force recommends that the Office of Energy Independence and Security on an annual basis track progress toward meeting Maine’s wind power development goals.   The Task Force also recommends that a comprehensive assessment be conducted in five years, by December 2013.