Horizon Wind Energy is in the planning phase of a 35-50 turbine (50 MW) wind project for Wallagrass part of a larger 700MW project for the St.John Valley.  The wind turbines will be 400'-500' tall. Our tallest trees are not much taller than 40 feet.
This is not being planned for paper company land but within a few miles of most  Wallagrass homes. The electricity produced is being targeted for population centers in Southern New England and will require new transmission lines for transportation. We will see no reduction in electricity rates.
   At the present time we have almost no rules that we can use to decide where these intrusive structures should be built. There is no Town ordinance to regulate adequate set-backs from homes, property lines, wetlands or roads; to limit height, noise levels, density of turbine clusters or location of above ground transmission lines.
   People, like those near the Mars Hill Wind Project, who have had little or no say in these things are very unhappy with the negative effects on their health, well-being, safety, natural beauty and property values. 
   We must act to protect our Town. If we don't regulate Industrial Wind Turbines than we will be forced to live the next 60 years with the energy corporation's profit driven and largely unfettered plan for our Town. First we need time to consider all the issues and draft a good ordinance. A moritorium on permits and building will give us 6 months for education and planning so we can comfortably co-exist with industrial wind turbines.

Esse Hammel
Wallagrass
August 5,2008