Per Bangor Daily News Poll
Early Tuesday morning, March 5, the Alliance for Sears Island discovered that the Bangor Daily News posted a poll on their News website asking readers, “Would you support the proposed wind port project on Sears Island?”
The poll also appeared in a print version.
As we write two days later, the poll shows 83% of respondents (1,214 votes) answered NO while only 16% (232 votes) said yes. Eighteen were not sure. The poll appears still active as of March 7.
The Alliance for Sears Island thinks these results help illustrate the extent of public disappointment in the recently announced decision to pursue Sears Island as the location for manufacturing, assembling and launching floating offshore wind turbines.
The Alliance for Sears Island supports the development of an offshore wind facility at Mack Point, and opposes development of that facility on Sears Island, if any such facility is to be built in Penobscot Bay.
We recognize the clear and urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and Maine’s reliance on fossil fuels. The Gulf of Maine’s ocean waters offer an abundance of wind energy that may contribute to future energy needs. In its undeveloped state, Sears Island continues to preserve the ecological integrity of Penobscot Bay, sequester carbon and provide public access to sea, shore and forest. Mack Point, an industrial site since the late 1800s, can meet the State of Maine’s proposal for a manufacturing offshore wind facility adjacent to deep water without sacrificing Sears Island’s increasing value to the environment and the economy.
The Bangor Daily News poll is not a scientific survey. As a snapshot of public sentiment, however, the sheer number of votes speaks to the depth of concern.
In other news, the Alliance for Sears Island created lawn signs using the graphic created by Katie Giddings (see below). If you would like some of these signs to display your support for protecting Sears Island, contact Steve Miller (iitsmill@gmail.com).
Alliance for Sears Island 