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 reproduced here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Mills signs wind bill, announces plans to advance offshore energy
Stalled efforts to test a floating wind farm off the Maine coast got back on track Wednesday after Gov. Janet Mills signed legislation directing the Public Utilities Commission to approve the contract for Maine Aqua Ventus, a first-of-its-kind wind project in the United States. “With the innovative work being done at the University of Maine, our state has the potential to lead the world in floating offshore wind development,” Mills said. “This long-overdue bill will move us in that direction.” . . . Complete story »
After pause, Maine may have missed the boat on offshore wind
Six months ago, a Norwegian company called Equinor submitted a winning bid of $135 million to lease a patch of ocean bottom off Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts from the federal government. It won a similar lease off New Jersey in 2016. Last winter the company submitted a third bid, off New York, and this summer is expected to bid on another round of leases off Massachusetts. Why all the investment activity? The Northeast coast of the United States could become . . . Complete story »
ISO-NE will require wind, intermittent hydro to bid into day-ahead energy markets
Dive Brief: ISO New England now requires wind- and intermittent hydro resources with a capacity supply obligation to offer into the grid operator’s day-ahead energy market, the grid operator announced Tuesday. The grid operator called it “another milestone” in its efforts to incorporate renewables into the regional marketplace. The requirement, effective June 1, comes three years after the ISO launched the Do Not Exceed (DNE) dispatch project, enabling those resources to take electronic dispatch instructions from the grid operator. Requiring DNE resources to participate . . . Complete story »
Offshore wind bill flawed
Two wrongs don’t make a right. Though perhaps well intended, LD 994, related to offshore wind energy, is deeply flawed. While it was recently approved by the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee, let’s be clear: In August 2018, the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) re-opened the term sheet for the Maine Aqua Ventus (MAV) project asking for clarification on eight items. MAV had still not filed a response when the committee held a hearing on May 16. The committee is . . . Complete story »
State approves 22-turbine wind project for Hancock County
The state has approved a $147.5 million industrial wind-to-energy facility proposed for Hancock County after a four-year delay caused by concerns about the project’s impact on area bats and birds. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection announced its awarding of a site permit to Longroad Energy’s 22-turbine Weaver Wind project in Eastbrook and Osborn on Friday. Opponents have 30 days to appeal to the Maine Board of Environmental Protection, spokesman Mark Bergeron said. Attempts to contact Longroad were not immediately . . . Complete story »
Maine Voices: Proposal to revive offshore wind project does not pass the smell test
Staff Writer Kevin Miller’s May 16 news article about the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee’s public hearing on L.D. 994 misses key issues – including the fact that L.D. 994 has been put forward as “emergency legislation” and could be considered an overreach of power by the Legislature. Regardless whether one is for or against the Maine Aqua Ventus project, citizens should be outraged by this attempt to subvert the Public Utilities Commission’s order to re-open and review the term . . . Complete story »
DEP approves Weaver Wind project
ELLSWORTH – A 22-turbine, $147.5-million wind farm project is one step closer to breaking ground after receiving approval from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on Friday. “We are really pleased to have a DEP permit for the Weaver Wind project,” said Longroad Energy Partners Chief Development Officer Matt Kearns in an email. “Weaver Wind will generate clean renewable electricity, create jobs and opportunities for local businesses, and benefit surrounding communities. “We have worked for a number of years with . . . Complete story »
Lawmakers urged to help revive UMaine-led offshore wind project
AUGUSTA – The Mills administration and advocates for developing offshore wind power in Maine urged lawmakers Thursday to revive a floating turbine project that has been stalled with utility regulators for more than a year. The bill would direct the Public Utilities Commission to approve a long-term contract between the University of Maine-led Aqua Ventus program and Central Maine Power. A PUC decision last June to reopen a previously negotiated contract was viewed by project supporters as yet another setback during . . . Complete story »
Renewable energy firm heads to Maine’s high court to fight CMP’s $1 billion transmission line
A large solar and wind power company is appealing the Maine Public Utilities Commission’s granting of an important certificate for Central Maine Power’s proposed hydropower corridor from Canada through western Maine. In a notice to the commission dated May 7, attorneys for NextEra Energy Resources objected to the May 3 order in which the commission granted a certificate of public convenience and necessity to CMP, a key step forward for the project. Representatives of NextEra said the regulatory commission should . . . Complete story »
Lawmakers hear debate that shows sharp divide over renewable-energy bill
AUGUSTA – A bill that would mandate an increase in the amount of electricity coming from renewable sources to Maine consumers received mixed reviews Tuesday in a legislative committee, with business interests split on the cost and benefits of the mandate, and supporters calling it crucial to Gov. Janet Mills’ initiative to blunt the impacts of climate change. At issue is an energy policy called the Renewable Portfolio Standard, which requires the increased production of energy from renewable sources, such as . . . Complete story »
