Few Bird Deaths from Vinalhaven Wind Turbines

BangorDailyNews:

The conclusion of a recently released study about how many birds fly into the three industrial wind turbines on Vinalhaven: Not many. Fewer than 10 per year, ornithologist Richard Podolsky said.

Podolsky was hired by Fox Islands Wind LLC to do a 28-month study on the wind turbines’ effect on local eagles and osprey. The study was required by the town’s wind ordinance.

Endangered Species May Derail Windfarm

PressHerald:

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife recently expressed concerns about the planned wind farm's impact on certain species in comments prepared for the state agency reviewing the developer's request for construction permits.

The habitats of lemmings, mayflies, spring salamanders, bats and birds would be put at considerable risk, according to the report to the Land Use Regulation Commission. The lemming and mayfly are on the state's endangered list. The salamander and eight species of bats in the plantation are all on a state "special concern" list.

The comments surprised developers, who have been working with the wildlife department for the last four years in their effort to install 39 wind turbines on ridges in the tiny community.

$1.2 Million for Alternative Energy Education

MaineBiz:

Northern Maine Community College has received $1.2 million to open an alternative energy education and training center.
The funding from Presque Isle native Mary Smith is one of the largest private contributions a community college in Maine has received, according to a press release. The college will use the money to establish the Northern Maine Center for Excellence in Alternative Energy Training and Education, a concept already in the works but which had lacked funding to move ahead

900,000 acres sold

Bangor Daily News:

Nearly 1 million acres of Maine forestland are about to change hands.

Under a deal slated to be completed Feb. 1, a company called BBC Land LLC with ties to a Colorado billionaire will purchase more than 900,000 acres — much of it in eastern and western Maine — from current owner GMO Renewable Resources.

John Cashwell, a local consultant for BBC Land, said very little will change under the new ownership. BBC Land will continue to manage the land as a working forest and will still allow public access for recreation, Cashwell said.