Maine Senate nixes bills to change wind power laws

AUGUSTA — The Legislature has rejected two bills to change the state’s wind energy laws aimed at ensuring projects benefit the state economically and don’t hinder the beauty of the state’s natural resources.

The Democratic-led Senate voted 21-14 on Thursday in favor of rejecting Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s proposal to add that Maine wants to lower electricity prices and expand economic opportunities through wind power to its current megawatt targets.

The administration said the proposal would ensure that residents benefit from wind power, but environmentalists said it was an attempt to stymie wind power development in Maine.

The Senate also rejected a bill that would have changed some requirements for when a visual impact analysis of a wind project must be conducted.

Both measures failed in the House on Wednesday night.