DEP to resume Bingham wind farm review
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is scheduled to resume review this month of a proposal by a subsidiary of the Massachusetts-based First Wind for a 62-turbine wind farm in Bingham.
The Morning Sentinel reported that the two public meetings are scheduled this month for the wind farm proposal that was held up in November out of concerns that the turbines could harm northern long-eared bats and little brown bats, which are listed as state species of special concern. The paper reported the bats are among the least likely to be killed by wind turbines, but reports of a disease called white-nose syndrome have raised concern that the species are facing other threats.
The First Wind subsidiary, Blue Sky West LLC, has agreed in its proposal to regulate turbine speeds when the bats are active, upon recommendation from the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
The $398 million project would be the largest and most expansive wind project in the state, if approved, the paper reported.
Correction: A previous version incorrectly characterized the proceedings the Maine DEP will begin this month on the proposed wind farm.
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