Resolve, To Establish a Stakeholder Group for the Establishment of Site Requirements for Wind Power

Sec. 1. Creation of stakeholder group; membership. Resolved: That, within its existing resources, the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission, referred to in this resolve as "the commission," shall establish a stakeholder group to review and establish site requirements for wind power. The stakeholder group may consist of no more than 7 members. The commission shall invite the participation of a citizens’ group that supports wind power, a citizens’ group that is opposed to wind power, a representative of a wind power manufacturer and the Department of Environmental Protection; and be it further

Sec. 2. Duties. Resolved: That the stakeholder group under section 1 shall:

1. Review and identify the specific criteria that are necessary to successfully site a wind power project;

2. Explore and precisely define the requirement of "community benefit" that is currently applied by the commission in assessing applications for approval of wind power projects. In developing this definition, the stakeholder group shall review the current interpretation of "community benefit," explore what groups and persons are considered when assessing the potential community benefit of a wind power project and propose a definition of "community benefit" that will serve to further the interests of the people of the State; and

3. Identify specifically those regions or areas of the State in which wind power projects are, de facto, prohibited; and be it further

Sec. 3. Report. Resolved: That, no later than December 1, 2008, the stakeholder group under section 1 shall report its findings and recommendations to the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission. The chair of the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission shall submit the report, together with any necessary implementing legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources no later than January 1, 2008. After receipt and review of the report, the committee may submit legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 123rd Legislature.

summary

This resolve directs the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission to create a stakeholder group to review and establish site requirements for wind power.