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.
Mills joins push for region’s electric grid operations to reflect state climate goals
Gov. Janet Mills has joined four other New England governors to press the operator of the region’s electric grid to do more to accommodate a future in which most people will be encouraged to heat their homes and drive vehicles powered with electricity generated by renewable resources. In a statement issued Wednesday to grid operator ISO-New England, the governors of Maine, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont and Rhode Island said operation of the grid and the current wholesale electricity market must be . . . Complete story »
Weaver Wind turbines up in Eastbrook, Osborn
OSBORN – A 22-turbine wind project known as Weaver Wind should be online by the end of the year at the latest, said Chief Development Officer Matt Kearns of Longroad Energy Partners, the company behind the project. “All of the towers are up,” said Kearns. “By the end of November, we will be electrically connected to the grid and in December I think we will do some testing.” Eight of the turbines are in Eastbrook and 14 in Osborn. Most of . . . Complete story »
Wind project should be reconsidered
This is an open letter to Governor Janet Mills. Dear Governor: It is my considered opinion that Maine needs to re-examine the value and merit of the Aqua Ventus Offshore Wind Project with an anticipated capacity of 12 megawatts of electric power. While admittedly this is among the smallest planned wind projects, its construction and operation will make no meaningful contribution to reduction in U.S. emissions of greenhouse gasses, nor will it have any measurable impacts on world climate. All . . . Complete story »
Belgrade to hold public hearing on 180-day moratorium on development permits
A 180-day moratorium ordinance to give the town of Belgrade time to update its ordinances related to development such as commercial solar and wind facilities, telecommunications towers and subdivisions is up for discussion. The town is holding a public hearing via Zoom at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, to air the secret ballot referendum question which will be voted on during the Nov. 3 election. If passed, the moratorium would take effect Nov. 4 and run through May 5, 2021. . . . Complete story »
Where will the industrial wind development end?
I drive the Airline back and forth to camp and other Down East adventures, and have always treasured the stretch between Aurora and T28, over the Whalesback, with its expansive views across the Middle Branch to Lead Mountain, then the scenic slither and swoop over the esker’s east end and up the other side of this amazing geologic roller-coaster. Now the scenery is upstaged by gargantuan wind turbines looming over Route 9, ominously distracting with their huge blades. Why did . . . Complete story »
New developers of Monhegan wind project aim for 2023 deployment
The new developers behind a long-planned offshore wind energy demonstration project south of Monhegan Island now hope to have the floating turbine in place by summer 2023. Representatives of the developers presented a tentative timeline for the project in a Zoom meeting with Monhegan residents and the Monhegan Energy Task Force on Aug. 18. New England Aqua Ventus LLC, a joint venture between Diamond Offshore Wind, a subsidiary of the Mitsubishi Corp., and RWE Renewables, the second-largest company in offshore . . . Complete story »
Whalesback view spoiled
The view from the “Whalesback” on Route 9 in Aurora was one of the iconic vistas in eastern Maine, to the extent the Maine Department of Transportation even included a scenic turnout in their highway planning so people could stop and enjoy it. It is noted as a “Unique Natural Feature” in the Maine Atlas and Gazetteer. What a bitter disappointment when a recent trip through the area revealed several large wind turbines dominating the skyline in the near distance, . . . Complete story »
Industry heavyweights to invest in UMaine offshore wind project near Monhegan Island
The University of Maine’s effort to pioneer floating offshore wind technology took a $100 million leap forward Wednesday with the announcement that two industry heavyweights are going to invest in development of the project near Monhegan Island. A subsidiary of the Mitsubishi company, called Diamond Offshore Wind, is joining with RWE Renewables to invest the $100 million to build and deploy a full-scale, floating wind farm at the site, about 14 miles off Maine’s coast. The new company, called New . . . Complete story »
UMaine enlists 2 companies to provide $100 million for offshore wind project
The University of Maine has enlisted two prominent renewable energy developers to provide $100 million in funding for the school’s offshore wind demonstration project about two miles south of Monhegan Island. The project, which has been in the works for years, is expected to be completed in 2023. It will be 14 miles offshore and consist of a single concrete floating platform that supports a 10–12 megawatt wind turbine, the university said Wednesday. Take Our Poll The two companies that . . . Complete story »
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 »
