Wind Power News: Maine
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Aroostook wind power backers see opportunity if western Maine transmission line fails
Amid opposition to an overhead powerline that would bring Quebec hydro electricity to Massachusetts through western Maine, a group of companies behind a wind power proposal in Aroostook County are hoping their project will become a viable alternative. Under a renewable energy procurement program by Massachusetts, Central Maine Power is seeking to build a 145-mile high-voltage transmission line carrying hydro power from Quebec through western Maine and into New England’s energy grid. The $1 billion proposed transmission line is facing . . . Complete story »
State reviewing application for wind farm in Hancock County
The state has begun reviewing an application to develop a wind farm in northern Hancock County and is weighing whether to schedule a public hearing on the proposal, which three years ago generated concerns about its potential to kill birds and bats. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection determined in mid-November that the application from Longroad Energy to develop a 22-turbine wind farm in Eastbrook and Osborn is complete, Mark Bergeron, director of the DEP’s bureau of land resources, said . . . Complete story »
Wind farm is “allowed use” on state-managed land
ELLSWORTH – Weaver Wind, a 22-turbine, $145-million wind farm proposed for several towns in Hancock County, has cleared one of the first hurdles in the application process, having been officially approved as an “allowed use” by the Maine Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) on Nov. 26. If all goes as planned, construction will begin in the spring and the turbines will be up and running by summer 2020, according to documents on file with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). . . . Complete story »
Down wind: Saco removes wind turbine
SACO – For the last decade, the 100-foot-high wind turbine atop York Hill has greeted motorists as they traveled from Main Street in Biddeford to Main Street in Saco. What has become a familiar site will be no longer, as the city of Saco has moved forward with tearing down the turbine. The wind turbine was purchased from and installed by the Colorado-based company Entegrity Wind Systems in February 2008 for about $200,000. Many of those concerned with the system’s price . . . Complete story »
Energy priorities shift as a new administration takes hold
Efforts to expand natural gas capacity. Hopes of luring discounted Canadian electricity. Measures to stunt the growth of solar power and discourage wind farms on land and sea. These actions championed for eight years by Gov. Paul LePage and Republican allies will end on Jan. 2, as a new Democratic governor and Legislature abruptly shift the focus of Maine’s energy policy to boosting local, green-power development and blunting the impacts of a warming climate. “From warming seas and rising ocean . . . Complete story »
Blowing in the wind
A few weeks ago, my wife and I were scheduled to attend a family soiree at a historic lodge on Webb Lake, near Mount Blue State Park. Since we had not spent much time in this area before, we arrived early to allow time for some sightseeing. The highlight was a stunning vista from Linda Bean’s farm, looking south across white-capped Webb Lake. The blue water, surrounded by spectacular fall foliage, with Saddleback Ridge as the backdrop, provided the type . . . Complete story »
Longroad Wind farm project advances
ELLSWORTH – A $140-million, 22-wind turbine project involving four Hancock County towns is moving forward. Longroad Energy Partners, which is developing the project, submitted an application to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on Oct. 31, said Mark Bergeron, director of the DEP’s Bureau of Land Resources. “One of the first steps that we take is to review the information to see that it’s complete for processing – have they submitted all the necessary materials?” Bergeron said. Eventually, all of the . . . Complete story »
CMP warned of ‘working off the same playbook’ that stymied New Hampshire energy project
With great promise, developers announce plans to string high-voltage power lines from Quebec to Massachusetts and bring a new source of lower-cost, clean electricity to New England. They offer millions of dollars to communities and stakeholders along the route to help gain support. But well-organized opposition surfaces and progress stalls. And when a growing revolt against overhead power lines threatens the project, developers belatedly agree to put a portion underground, despite the expense. This chain of events might sound familiar . . . Complete story »
What Maine’s new government will mean to you
[Governor-elect Janet] Mills vowed to end LePage’s declared (but unenforced) ban on permits for new land-based wind energy projects. And she strongly backs a University of Maine project that supporters contend could enable Maine to become a leader in the construction and deployment of floating, offshore wind turbines. Complete story »
What will Maine’s clean energy future look like under new leadership?
Many in Maine’s energy industry are cheering the election of Janet Mills to the office of governor, as well as a Democratic takeover of the Legislature. Renewable energy advocates are perhaps the loudest, after contending with numerous roadblocks outgoing Governor Paul LePage put in the sector’s way during his tenure. In an interview before the election, Mills promised a new direction on energy policy – beginning with her own cabinet. “I think we want all cabinet members to be looking at . . . Complete story »
