Some folks on Vinalhaven were led down the golden/green path, proud to be part of the new energy movement, until they couldn’t get away from the noise of the three wind turbines sounding like a jet landing until the wind stops (Sun Journal, Jan. 24). On that 25-square-mile island, the 388-foot-high turbines were put online in November and one is down for repairs already.

Gov. John Baldacci’s task force has rushed plans through the Legislature to meet his power generation goals to allow companies to erect about 1,700 windmills on about 340 miles of Maine’s mountaintops. Those 400-foot-high turbines will be set on huge holes blasted in 15,000-40,000 acres of unspoiled forests. Where are the tree-huggers and the wildlife activists on this issue?

Millions of federal dollars are being spent on unsustainable wind power, increasing the national debt. The proposed offshore wind farms will be costly to build and maintain. I saw a picture of a windmill frozen solid in Minnesota this winter. Last I knew, the Maine coastal waters aren’t exactly the tropics.

Saco’s 200-foot turbine didn’t work out. Not enough wind. I suppose it could be used as a giant flagpole, albeit a tad expensive.

The hydro-electric dams provide clean, renewable energy. Then there is the natural gas pipeline in Maine.

With this weak economy and questionable global warming theories, I say slow down; study the facts, weigh the benefits and decide what is best for the beautiful state of Maine.

Diana Holcomb, Norway