SPRING 2011 Rockport and Hope, Maine voters approve wind amendments. At the polls on June 14th, Rockport citizens voted 396-94 to support an amendment to the Land Use Ordinance as it pertains to wind development. This Ordinance includes a 100 foot turbine height limit, allows only one turbine per parcel of land and requires the electricity produced to be used at that parcel. Hope voters approved a 180-Day Wind Power Moratorium , 191-131, to allow the town the time needed to draft a specific Wind Ordinance. After six months, voters will have the opportunity to vote for or against that Ordinance. Ordinances are important to protect the health, safety and welfare of town citizens. EARLIER NEWS Rockport and Hope to consider wind power measures on June 14, 2011 ballots 1.Rockport Select and Planning Boards Approve Wind Energy Amendments for June 14th Ballot Following a report by the Rockport Ordinance Review Committee, the Rockport Planning and Select Boards have voted unanimously to support amendments to the town Wind Energy Ordinance. The recommended amendments suggest that: Wind energy systems are to be limited to 100 feet or less in height with only one per parcel of land. The energy produced is to be consumed at that parcel. These changes will apply only to new applications and will not affect the already approved Camden Hills Regional High School Wind Planners project. The changes will be on the June 14, 2011 Rockport ballot. The full warrant article # 5 is available at the Rockport Town Office. 2. Hope voters to consider 180 day windpower moratorium Read it here. (pdf) Please vote on June 14, from 8AM until 8PM at the Rockport & Hope Town Offices. Call 236-0806 (Rockport) or 763-4199 (Hope) for more information. The Friends of Ragged Mountain organization is dedicated to preserving the quality of place and the quality of life represented by Ragged Mountain in Camden, Rockport and Hope, Maine. For inclusion on our mailing list, or if you have any questions, please send your email address to: friends.of.ragged.mountain@gmail.com ( please include all the "dots" ) RELATED On June 27th and 28th, Land Use Regulatory Commission held hearings at the Ella Burr School in Lincoln, to decide the fate of Bowers Mountain, the Downeast Lakes Watershed, and the surrounding area, including the tiny historic village of Grand Lake Stream. First Wind, a company with a long history of Enron and Mafia ties, and a company which has been involved in lawsuits and complaints at several of their other wind projects, through yet another shell corporation, Champlain Wind LLC, is looking to put 27 turbines directly over this historic area and these important lakes. If you can't make it to Lincoln on Monday or Tuesday evening, PLEASE write out your testimony and send it to Fred Todd at fred.todd@maine.gov This will become part of the record. It is VERY important that LURC hear from YOU! For more information click here.