What I've never seemed to understand is why we also don't build some smaller ones right along the highway corridor, in the case of wind, right in places with wide medians. All the infrastructure is there and it's not pristine either. (Want to keep them off roads not marked as scenic fine) States already own the land. The hardest thing is probably keeping the flow of traffic moving while you install since drivers have to always look at construction sites, at least the first couple of times and then they ignore the speed limit signs in the construction zones.
In the world of cyber-attack threats, having your local grid set up to NB or Hydro-Quebec may be a plus. It's probably low on the list of targets.
It's not hard to imagine no one wants to approve someone else's power needs being built in their neighborhood unless they get a lucrative windfall. Since the plans are often being built in rural areas, the zoning is usually taxed at a lower rate. They involve bringing utilities and infrastructure to places without them. In the woods they are unnecessary while in areas where they hope to develop, if someone else makes the initial outlay, others can add-on afterwards. Then the question is, "Is the area too far away to draw tourist related businesses?" Do you have enough skilled labor to open a new business? If yes to the first question and no to the second, then logging, solar and wind farms are about the only businesses you may draw to the Maine North Woods. If the land is public, hiking, snowmobiles, white rafting companies may be be fine. The private sector is usually looking to maximize their profit opportunities. (Adam Smith rant over)
