that is consistent with high all state and federal environmental |
standards and that achieves reliable, cost-effective, sustainable |
energy production on those sites in the State that will attract |
investment and permit the development of viable wind energy |
projects. The Legislature finds that the development of the wind |
energy potential in the State needs to be integrated into the |
existing energy supply and transmission systems in a way that |
achieves system reliability, total capital cost-effectiveness and |
optimum short-term and long-term benefits to Maine people. The |
Legislature finds it is in the public interest to encourage the |
construction and operation of community wind power generator |
projects.__For the purposes of this section, "community wind power |
generator" means an electricity-generating facility at any one site |
with instantaneous generating nameplate capacity of not more than |
10 megawatts that is powered entirely by wind energy.__The |
Legislature also finds it is in the public interest to encourage |
wind energy research and the development of wind generation |
equipment manufacturing facilities in the State. |