Proposing "regulation to…

Proposing "regulation to ensure the White Pines Wind Project is closed down in a manner that is protective of human health, safety and the environment" is an oxymoron. The act of closing down the White Pines Wind Project is harmful to human health, safety and the environment in and of itself.

Just over a month ago, the United Nations released a special climate report outlining the need for urgent change to limit global warming. This report states "Human-induced warming reached approximately 1°C above pre-industrial levels in 2017, increasing at 0.2°C per decade". Reaching 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels will have dramatic impacts on ecosystems, human health and well-being. Preventing this requires unprecedented change NOW. We would need to cut our emissions by at least 45% in the next 12 years to prevent irreparable damage.

Closing the White Pines Project is a move in the absolute wrong direction. We need to focus on renewable energy now more than ever. We absolutely should NOT be removing existing sources of renewable energy. The proposal says itself that this project is causing no harm to the environment or human health, but removing it most certainly will.

Climate change is leading to rising temperatures, heavy rains and droughts, extreme weather events and rising sea levels. Extreme heat, poor air quality, reduced food and water quality, changes in infectious agents ad population displacement lead to a variety of negative health outcomes to human populations across the globe. Just look at the extreme weather events of this past year! In 2 months, we've seen Florida underwater and California on fire. We need to be taking steps forward not backward to protect our planet and ourselves. Removing a project such as the White Pines that serves only to benefit our planet and our health is simply unacceptable. If you're looking for a safe way to remove it, the truly safest way is to not.