The guest column about the economics of wind power by J. Dwight (Sept. 27) should open up some eyes for those people who still believe that wind power in the mountains of Maine is a benefit to Maine and humanity. Dwight tells it as it is — wind power is about subsidies and not about producing energy.

The negative effects of wind power projects in the mountains greatly offset any possible benefits. The damage to the environment caused by building wide roads to the tops of the mountains and blasting off the tops will cause erosion and sedimentation in the valleys below. The necessary transmission lines will destroy wildlife habitat and scenery.

So much for the “quality of place” advocated by a recent governor’s report.

A far better solution to producing electricity would be more wood-burning generators sited on existing highways and transmission lines. Maine has a surplus of available wood that can be produced sustainably without damage to the environment. If the paper mills shut down, there will be few markets for the millions of cords of low-grade wood the landowners need to sell annually. The value to Maine’s landowners, loggers, truckers, etc., would be greater from a biomass energy plant than from a wind power project.

People need to get out of the panic mode and do something right for the future of Maine.

Fred A. Huntress Jr., Poland Spring