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 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.
In New York and New England, wind energy projects are “like siting landfills. Nobody wants them.”
The politics of renewable energy can be seen as left versus right. But when it comes to siting large renewable-energy projects, the divide is increasingly about rich versus poor. “Wind developers don’t target the tony communities, like near Hillary Clinton’s house in Chappaqua, or Westchester County,” says Joni Riggle, a resident of Chautauqua County, who opposes the Cassadaga project. “The people who live in those places have the financial clout to fight Big Wind.” Complete story »
Portion of New England offshore wind could be curtailed by 2030: ISO
ISO New England analysis made public Wednesday estimated about 10% of the total 2030 offshore wind power portfolio connected into southeast Massachusetts and Rhode Island would be “spilled,” or curtailed, under certain assumptions due to transmission constraints and a glut of supply. Transmission developer Anbaric requested ISO-NE perform a study reviewing the impact on energy market prices, air emissions and regional fuel security of three offshore wind power scenarios for target year 2030: 8,000 MW, 10,000 MW and 12,000 MW. An ISO-NE presentation . . . Complete story »
CMP wins permits from two state agencies for western Maine power line
The state Department of Environmental Protection and the Land Use Planning Commission signed off today on vital land use permits Central Maine Power needs for its proposed 151-mile power line through western Maine. The permits include dozens of conditions the agencies say will mitigate damage to forest values, with special attention to reducing habitat fragmentation by a 51-mile section of all-new timber cuts stretching between the Canadian border to Caratunk. “DEP’s job is to apply Maine’s rigorous environmental standards to . . . Complete story »
Houlton Rotarians apprised of potential wind farm project
HOULTON, Maine – The Houlton Rotary club conducted its fourth online meeting Monday, April 27, with 39 members and guests in attendance. There were several announcements during the meeting, including Rotarian Josh McLaughlin announcing that the Houlton Stimulus Project has raised over $45,000 in funds to help local area businesses due to the ripple effect of COVID-19. McLaughlin has been heading up the Stimulus Project and said he originally set a goal of $5,000 that he hoped area business would meet. . . . Complete story »
Fishermen seek delay in Gulf of Maine offshore wind planning
Gulf of Maine fishermen this week asked three New England governors and federal officials for a six-month delay in planning for offshore wind energy development in those waters, as the seafood industry grapples with the upheaval of coronavirus. In deeper waters of the gulf, wind power will be achieved only with the use of floating turbines. The extensive anchoring and cabling that would be required means “lease areas will become de facto closures to fishing,” the Responsible Offshore Development Alliance . . . Complete story »
Audubon looking at how to build environmentally friendly energy projects without harming wildlife
HOULTON, Maine – If you’re working on new energy construction projects that are friendlier to the environment, how do you know where to build them so they won’t have a harmful impact on wildlife? That is a question that Sarah Haggerty and the Maine Audubon Society have been trying to answer. Maine Audubon sees one of the most pressing concerns regarding climate change as the impact it has on wildlife and natural habitats. As climate zones shift due to the increase . . . Complete story »
New England fishing groups wary of rapid offshore wind development plans
As offshore wind moves up the coast of New England, efforts are underway to make sure the region’s fishing interests have a seat at the table early in project development. An alliance of industry and academic stakeholders is promoting the need for research and best practices as offshore wind takes hold in waters where fishing has long been an economic anchor. Fishing groups have several concerns about the potential for boating obstacles and ecological impacts. A dearth of research makes . . . Complete story »
Floating wind farms a hot topic at forum
ROCKPORT – If a changing climate, whale protection regulations and, now, the as yet immeasurable threat arising from the emergence of the coronavirus aren’t enough to keep fishermen awake at night, the potential development of offshore power generation facilities in the Gulf of Maine should do the trick. Earlier this month, the Maine Fishermen’s Forum opened with a day-long seminar on the state of wind energy development in the Northeast in general and the Gulf of Maine in particular. So . . . Complete story »
Maine Supreme Court upholds PUC approval of energy corridor
The state supreme court has rejected a challenge of utility regulators’ approval of a 145-mile (230-kilometer) power transmission corridor that would serve as a conduit for hydropower from Canada. NextEra Energy Resources appealed to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court after the Public Utilities Commission granted its approval to the $1 billion New England Clean Energy Connect. In its unanimous ruling, the panel brushed aside NextEra’s complaint that the PUC made a number of errors on its decision. “The commission followed . . . Complete story »
A potential catastrophe in Columbia
While all eyes are on the proposed CMP power corridor in western Maine, a potential environmental and economic catastrophe is unfolding Downeast, in the form of the proposed Apex wind farm in Columbia. The 22,000-acre tower array would be situated directly in the heart of western Washington County, with 30 structures rivaling the widely visible Cutler radio towers in overall height (taking into account site elevation), but over a much broader expanse and with moving parts added to the equation. . . . Complete story »
