Wind Power News: Maine
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational effort to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Feds announce possible location for Gulf of Maine wind farm
Maine’s lobster industry opposes plans for a commercial wind energy facility in a 2-million-acre swath of the gulf. Federal officials announced Friday they have identified a 2-million-acre swath of the Gulf of Maine for a commercial wind farm. The designated area ranges from about 23 to 93 miles off the coasts of Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management said the area is 80% smaller than the initial proposal and avoids lobstering areas, tribal fishing grounds, . . . Complete story »
Organizers stand against building offshore wind port at Sears Island
The Alliance for Sears Island and their allies gathered in Belfast today to stand against the decision to build an offshore wind port at Sears Island. Governor Mills announced the location Tuesday. The Alliance believes the state should have offshore wind power, but the port should be at a different location They say Mack Point would be a better site and just as many jobs would be available there. Organizers believe the biodiversity of Sears Island needs to be preserved . . . Complete story »
Sears Island – state-owned and undeveloped – selected for offshore wind power port
Gov. Janet Mills announced Tuesday that her administration has selected Sears Island in Searsport as the preferred site for development of a large, offshore wind port designed to jumpstart the clean energy economy in Maine and the transition away from fossil fuels. Selection of the site follows a public stakeholder process led by the Maine Department of Transportation and the Maine Port Authority to consider several potential options in the Port of Searsport, the Port of Eastport and the Port . . . Complete story »
State wants historically undeveloped Sears Island for hub to build and ship offshore wind turbines
The State of Maine intends to develop the untouched Sears Island in Searsport to build and ship offshore wind turbines, according to Downeast lawmakers who oppose the controversial project. “It is the largest undeveloped uninhabited causeway accessible island on the eastern coast of the United States,” said Rep. Lynne Williams (D-Bar Harbor) in her letter defending Rep. Reagan Paul’s (R-Winterport) proposal to stop the development of Sears Island. The lawmakers see the Sears Island project as a negative environmental effect . . . Complete story »
Maine lawmakers will consider banning eminent domain for Aroostook wind project
Top Maine lawmakers agreed Thursday to advance a bill to the 2024 session that would prohibit the use of eminent domain to build a controversial transmission line between Aroostook County and the Augusta area. The 10-member Legislative Council initially did not approve the proposal from Sen. Chip Curry, D-Belfast, while voting last week on 283 bill requests for 2024. However, the panel returned on Thursday to hear appeals from lawmakers who sponsored measures that were rejected, voting 9-1 to advance . . . Complete story »
Politicians come out against Gulf of Maine offshore wind proposal
U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King, Reps. Jared Golden and Chellie Pingree, and Maine Gov. Janet Mills have sent a letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), urging them to completely exclude Lobster Management Area 1 (LMA 1) from the Wind Energy Area (WEA) for potential wind power development in the Gulf of Maine. The letter was sent following last month’s release of the draft WEA which excluded much of LMA 1 but identified two Secondary Areas . . . Complete story »
Foreign investors will reap 92 percent of profits from Aroostook County’s King Pine wind power scheme
When the 170-turbine 1,000 megawatt King Pine Wind Farm in Aroostook County becomes operational near the end of the decade, the majority of the profits from the sale of electricity to New England ratepayers will head to the other side of the planet. That’s because Longroad Energy, the Boston-based developer that will manage the wind farm, is 92 percent owned by large foreign investment funds, including one controlled by a foreign government, according to financial records reviewed by the Maine . . . Complete story »
The “clean energy future” is roiling both friends and foes
The problem boils down to this: If lawmakers want to ramp up renewables as fast and cheaply as possible, they’ll need to bulldoze or build over some places that people treasure. If there is anywhere in the country primed to welcome the clean energy transition, it is Penobscot Bay in Maine. Electricity prices there are high and volatile. The ocean waters are warming fast, threatening the lobster fishery. Miles offshore, winds blow strong enough to heat every home and power . . . Complete story »
A fishermen’s alliance fights back against offshore wind development in the Gulf of Maine
The New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association (NEFSA) released an “Offshore Wind Research Summary” on Monday – a compilation of existing scientific research on the environmental impacts of offshore wind power development. An alliance comprised of the Downeast Lobstermen’s Association, the Maine Lobstermen’s Association, the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association, the Maine Lobstering Union, the Long Island Commercial Fishing Association, New England Young Fishermen’s Alliance, New Hampshire Commercial Fishing Association, Responsible Offshore Development Alliance all signed on to the NEFSA letter urging . . . Complete story »
Maine must hit pause on offshore wind turbines
You wouldn’t buy a house without an inspection, so why would we fill the Gulf of Maine with wind turbine superstructures without understanding how they interact with the marine environment? Offshore wind energy features too many unknowns to proceed at this point with widescale ocean industrialization. That’s why my organization, the New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association (NEFSA) has joined with partner organizations to call on state and federal authorities to reset our renewable energy policy. The state of Maine is . . . Complete story »