Fort residents ask for wind ordinance

   FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine — Town officials are currently considering how the community will address potential wind farm projects, following a Town Council meeting Aug. 20 at which the public shared their views on the topic.
“The Town Council has voted on beginning the process of establishing a moratorium on wind energy development in Fort Fairfield, so that a technical review committee can research what is best for Fort citizens,” said Town Manager Mike Bosse.
Bosse said Fort Fairfield’s Economic Development Investment Strategy has a section dedicated to wind energy development.
“One of the goals are: ‘Aggressively seek opportunities that will enhance our ability to facilitate the development of wind energy projects in Fort Fairfield. Partner with interested developers and landowners to create projects that clearly benefit the community, while working with regulators to ensure that proper placement of these turbines does not negatively impact existing residential homes or businesses,’” said Bosse.
Community Development Director Tony Levesque said citizens shared their concerns, urging councilors to create an ordinance to address such development.
“They asked councilors to prepare an ordinance addressing the development of wind farms/installation of wind turbines in the community. Community leaders will look at needs and options to create standards for review of applications for wind turbines,” said Levesque.
Levesque said most of those who spoke at the August meeting were “people approached for wind projects in Fort Fairfield.”
“The area currently of interest is Irish Ridge — between East and Center Limestone roads,” said Levesque, noting, “this is more of a town-wide interest. People want a town-wide ordinance, not just this one location.”
Bosse said at present there are two companies interested in developing wind energy in Fort Fairfield.
“Currently we have a couple of companies looking at Fort Fairfield to develop and the community wants to proceed cautiously and prudently. The interested companies are: Shamrock, LLC and EDP Renewables North America LLC,” said Bosse.
For more information or to submit comments, call the Town Office at 472-3800.