AUGUSTA — TransCanada is asking the Land Use Regulation Commission to expand the expedited wind energy permitting area by adding an approximately 631-acre parcel located in Chain of Ponds Township.

Wind energy development is an allowed use with a permit and no subdistrict rezoning is required in expedited wind energy areas.

TransCanada is in the process of building a 44-turbine wind project north of Eustis; 22 turbines have been erected and are operational, the remaining 22 are expected to be complete and online next year. The company proposes additional turbines for the land in Chain of Ponds.

A two-part public hearing will be held, and the public can testify at either or both parts of the hearing. LURC requests, if possible, that those testifying at the hearing bring a written copy of their testimony for filing in the record.

Part I of the public hearing, Dec. 16 at the Senator Inn, 284 Western Ave. in Augusta and beginning at 9 a.m., will include a panel discussion addressing the statutory criteria for expanding the expedited wind energy development area. The commission will hear general public comment on the statutory criteria starting at 11:30 a.m.

Following the close of Part One of the hearing, the commission will develop a draft Guidance Document to clarify the meaning of the criteria. There will be a written public comment period on the draft from Jan. 25 to Feb. 10.

Part II of the public hearing will address the petition filed by TransCanada and be held March 17, at Sugarloaf Inn, 5092 Sugarloaf Access Road in Carrabassett Valley, starting at 10 a.m.

Following the close of Part II of the hearing, there will be an additional 10-day period for written comments to be submitted ending on March 29, followed by a seven-day rebuttal period ending on April 5, at which time the record for the rulemaking will close.

Written comments addressing the statutory criteria, the draft Guidance Document, and the petition, including data, views or arguments, may be mailed to “LURC, 22 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333” or sent by e-mail to lurc@maine.gov (include “TransCanada” in the subject line) for the commission’s consideration.

Additional information, including a longer, more detailed notice of the rulemaking and the text of the proposed rule, may be obtained by contacting Marcia Spencer-Famous or by visiting the commission’s Web site at: http://www.maine.gov/doc/lurc/projects/Trans canada/Transcanada.shtml.