Wind developers visit, announce public hearing date (Maine)

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KINGFIELD -– Representatives from TransCanada visited the Original Irregular office Wednesday, Sept. 5. The purpose of the visit (the third visit of this kind) was to keep us informed on the latest progress on their wind power development project proposed in Kibby and Skinner townships. Of notable interested, Nick Di domenico of TransCanada broke the news to us that there is now a Land Use Regulation Commission Public Hearing scheduled for Oct. 2, 3 and 4 at Sugarloaf/USA.

The proposal, deemed complete by the LURC staff, consists of the rezoning of approximately 2,900 acres of protected mountain ridges above 2,700 feet to a planned development sub district for the purposes of installing 44, 260-foot (hub height) or 410-foot (top on blade height), 3-megawatt wind turbines. The total wind farm is proposed as a 132-megawatt facility. Twelve of the turbines are proposed to be sited below 2,700 feet and no turbine is proposed above 3,210 feet. The land is owned by Plumb Creek on which TransCanada has a wind power agreement.

he project includes the construction and use of 35 miles of dirt roads. Of the road use, 18 miles of roads are already in place and used in the timber harvesting industry. The balance or 17.4 miles are proposed as new roads.

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The project includes a “115 kV transmission line (that) would originate at the new substation in Kibby Twp., and would pass through Jim Pond Twp., the Town of Eustis, Coplin Plt., Wyman Twp., connecting to the Bigelow Substation in Carrabassett Valley,” Spencer Famous said. Portions of the 115 kV transmission line would be located in the organized towns of Eustis and Carrabassett Valley and would be reviewed by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the respective towns. TransCanada representatives have held a couple of public open houses in the Stratton area, attended many selectmen’s meetings across Franklin County and shared with them the project information in addition to speaking before the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce.

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