BANGOR – Opponents of a commercial wind energy project in Highland Plantation were delighted Wednesday when state regulators decided to review the proposed wind farm under tougher scenic standards.

It was the first time the Land Use Regulation Commission had invoked an exception in Maine law to review the impact of a wind energy project’s associated facilities — basically everything other than the turbines — under stricter rules.

The six commissioners voted unanimously that Highland Wind LLC will have to show that its buildings, generator lead lines and miles of access roads will have no “undue adverse effect” on the area’s scenic character.

Public hearings on the Highland Wind project are anticipated for late June. At that point the commissioners will hear comments about the development before deciding whether to grant permits for construction.

The 39-turbine project would be visible from the Bigelow Preserve, which was created by public referendum. It would also be visible from a section of the Appalachian Trail.

Under the tougher standards, Highland Wind will have to prove it will not harm scenery beyond eight miles of the project, where Bigelow Preserve and the Appalachian Trail are. Previously it had to focus only on the area within eight miles of the project.