Investing in wind energy makes so much sense in so many ways.  Wind and the related necessary transmission will reduce electric energy costs in Maine and New England.  Read more here.

Check out the great benefits of wind power for community schools in the Huffington Post... We all want our children to have the brightest futures possible, and wind power helps check a lot of the boxes we envision when we think of the opportunities we’d like them to have: well-payng jobs, clean air and healthy communities. But there’s another way wind is ensuring success for the next generation — it’s strengthening schools across the country. It’s not easy to run a school district in the rural parts of America. Small populations and low tax bases mean resources can be scarce. Our children’s education is one place we never want to skimp, so that presents a challenge. During the recession years, these pressures were only intensified. Read more here.

Back in June, Cat Mosley and I visited Cherryfield, Maine for the annual Cherryfield Days festival. It was a perfect day in Washington County, as we celebrated the town’s 200th year anniversary. Saturday’s parade was an incredible showcase of regional and town pride. From CH Matthews to Route 1, Main Street was lined with spectators of all ages. The crowds cheered on the procession to the music of the Cherryfield Band. There was a wide range of floats, vehicles and marchers, from the VFW veterans and U.S. Coast Guard Cruiser, to dancing blueberries and a wagon of organic farmers.  With an ATV, a redemption center pulled a creative pyramid of soda cans and Allen’s bottles. In the middle of it all, Cat drove the Apex pickup truck, while I tossed Downeast Wind candy to the crowds. Continue reading

Protecting America’s wildlife is one of my deepest passions; it’s a big part of why I’ve devoted my career to safeguarding our nation’s natural heritage. President Nixon once correctly pointed out that “Nothing is more priceless and more worthy of preservation than the rich array of animal life with which our country has been blessed”. No species is more emblematic of America than the bald eagle. Once facing extinction, these magnificent birds have rebounded nicely, thanks in large part to protective laws like the Endangered Species Act and a ban on the pesticide DDT. Seeing a bald eagle is much easier today than it used to be. In fact, there is a nesting pair just down the street from my home. Despite this good news, a number of looming threats could reverse our progress. According to scientists, one of the largest threats to eagles—and many other species of wildlife—is climate change. The Audubon Society says that over 300 different bird species, including eagles, are at risk because of rising temperatures, which could cause them to lose up to half of their ranges by 2080. Read more here.

Wildlife advocates support wind power Scientists tell us that our wildlife, from the tiniest pollinators to the largest mammals, are facing an unprecedented threat from climate change. Pollution is altering our climate much too quickly for wildlife to adapt. We are in real danger of losing many of the animal and plant species we enjoy and depend on. The good news is that we have technology available today to reduce that pollution – and electricity rates – by using cleaner sources of energy. One of the best ways to reduce climate pollution is wind power. As an emission-free electricity source, wind directly combats climate change. In 2015, wind reduced the equivalent of over 28 million cars’ worth of carbon pollution. Greater savings will be seen as wind generates even more of America’s electricity. By 2030, it could eliminate up to 20 percent of the electric sector’s carbon emissions. By 2050, wind could save $400 billion worth of climate change damage. Continue reading

"The truth is, thousands of eagles die every year for a variety of reasons — most from natural causes. The vast majority of human-caused deaths result from intentional poisoning and shooting — federal crimes that we aggressively investigate and prosecute. Most other eagle deaths are caused by collisions - with cars, buildings, power lines and other structures. Wind energy facilities represent a fraction of these deaths, and the media’s singular focus on wind turbines is a gross distortion of the truth." - Dan Ashe, Director, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Read more here.