Now that Plum Creek's controversial development plan for Moosehead Lake has been approved by the Land Use Regulation Commission, the state planning agency is turning its attention to another controversial subject: wind. Today LURC heard advice from state officials, environmental groups and members of the public about how to proceed with an expedited permitting process for siting wind projects. Some are skeptical and angry about the fast-track for wind, while others believe it's essential to reach the state's alternative energy goals.

Over the next five years, Maine's goal is to be producing 2,000 megawatts of wind. Currently, the state has about 800. And Governor John Baldacci and other state officials are anxious to speed up the process without sacrificing the environment. Conservation Commissioner Pat McGowan says proper siting of projects will be key.

"We do not want the state of Maine to look like a pin cushion," McGowan says. "We like the idea of clusters. We like the idea of locating it near transmission facilities. And I would say, they didn't build the transmission line and then build the Hoover Dam. They built the Hoover Dam in the best possible location and then built the transmission lines. I think that's very important."

Last year a task force made up of state offiicials, legislators, environmental groups and others produced a map that set aside a large area of Maine for expedited permitting for wind as a way to help reach the state's goal. Their unanimous recommendations were adopted by the Legislature.

And while they tried to spell out criteria for LURC to consider in the permitting process, Commissioner Ed Laverty says he still feels ill equipped to decide which project is worthy and which is not. "Certainly we need to review projects to the extent that they're meeting statewide goals, but how do we determine that?"

Laverty says some of the issues such as transmission capacity seem better suited for Maine's Public Utilities Commission than a state planning agency. Meanwhile, wind power projects appear to be meeting growing resistance. Dixmont, for example, recently adopted a restrictive wind ordinance.

But Pete Didisheim of the Natural Resources Council of Maine says wind power is recognized around the globe as the most economically viable, large source of carbon-free renewable energy that exists. "If there was some other technology, we would pursue it," he says.

Opponents object, not just to the visual effects of wind turbines, but the noise and vibration, the cost versus benefits and the effect on wildlife. Even projects that are not close to residential neighborhoods are coming under fire. TransCanada's plans to add another 15 turbines to its Kibby Mountain wind project in western Maine, and then annex 600 acres to the expedited permitting area, is the latest example. The Sisk Mountain region is prized for remote recreational opportunities and is home to golden eagles and Canada lynx.

"This is undoubtedly going to lead to sprawling industrial growth in otherwise pristine remote regions within the unorganized territories," says Ryan Clark. Clark says he opposes the Sisk Mountain annexation for many reasons, not the least of which is the fact that TransCanada is a multinational oil company that also extracts fossil fuels around the world. "It's a joke to think that the applicant, TransCanada, cares at all about stopping climate change when you look at their track record elsewhere," he says.

Last week LURC disclosed that it had assessed $1.7 million in processing fees for Plum Creek's development application for Moosehead Lake. The fees were authorized by the Legislature as a way to compensate for staff time and resources for extraordinary projects.

Hillary Lister of Athens says this raises questions about LURC's allegiance. "Right now there is a lot of concern whether this commission is legitimately serving the people of Maine that they were set up to serve, or if they're serving the developers that are funding so much of this process."

Of the three wind developers that have been assessed fees for projects so far, TransCanada says it has paid LURC about $100,000 and received about $17,000 back. Evergreen Wind could not be reached for comment and Redington Wind says it paid more than $100,000. But Redington developer Harley Lee points out that his project was not permitted by LURC. The commission is expected to take up TransCanada's expansion at a meeting in February.