Wind farm a good step against global warming

Copyright © 2006 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.

E-mail this story to a friend

Earth is about 10 years -- or 2 degrees -- away from irreversible climate change -- a world irretrievably committed to widespread agricultural failure, major droughts, increased disease, sea-level rise and the death of forests.

The culprit? Carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, now threatens life as we know it. The dirty air from our electric power plants accounts for 40 percent of U.S. carbon pollution, which is poised to spiral upward in response to our insatiable appetite for electricity.

Maine can help lead the way out of our global crisis this summer by allowing for a sane and sustainable solution: wind power. Last week the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission heard evidence to determine whether the 90-megawatt Redington wind farm, capable of powering 40,000 homes, should be erected just west of Sugarloaf.

With a growing demand for power, but largely dirty sources to supply it, the need for Redington is unprecedented. Compared to fossil fuel, Redington will avoid more than 800,000 pounds of carbon dioxide daily, which is like taking 25,000 cars off the road. Moreover, wind is free. Natural gas, accounting for 60 percent of electricity generation in Maine, is increasingly expensive, and subject to price spikes and supply interruptions.

While no one can claim that the Redington wind farm will solve global warming single-handedly, it's the right choice for both Maine's environment and economy, and this home we call Earth.

Harry Brown

Executive Director

Maine Interfaith Power and Light