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AUGUSTA – Gov. Paul LePage imposed a moratorium on new wind energy permits in Maine on Wednesday while establishing a commission that will meet behind closed doors to study the economic impacts of wind turbines on the state’s tourism industry.

LePage, a long-time critic of wind energy, issued an executive order creating the Maine Wind Energy Advisory Commission to assess how wind power affects the state’s electricity rate structure and wind power’s economic impact. The 11- to 15-member commission is charged with developing and proposing policies “regulating the future deployment and operation of wind turbines” in Maine – New England’s largest generator of wind energy – but will be exempt from Maine’s Freedom of Access laws, meaning the group will not have to meet in public.

 “While out-of-state interests are eager to exploit our western mountains in order to serve their political agendas, we must act judiciously to protect our natural beauty,” LePage said in a statement. “I urge the commission to take the time they need to develop the right policies that balance tourism, the needs of the communities, the environment and development.”

LePage’s moratorium and executive order are guaranteed to anger advocates of Maine’s sizable wind energy industry and other backers of renewable power, who already view Maine’s Republican governor as hostile to “green” energy.

This story will be updated.

High winds spin operational turbines at a Carthage wind farm. (Sun Journal file photo)

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