The Main Chance for Maine?

The United States has many wind farms across its length and breadth but has been slower to embrace fully the opportunities offered for offshore wind production.  In the state of Maine, there is an opportunity for a 12-megawatt offshore wind project just a few miles off Maine’s coast. It could make the state a pioneer of the US offshore industry.  So what’s the problem?  A few actually; getting the go-ahead from a panel of State Regulators this week, who will consider the cost and when it can be recouped and the residents of Monhegan Island closest to the proposed wind farm, who are concerned about the environmental impact on wildlife, plus the sight and sounds of the turbines that may harm tourism there. In the picture below Moneghan Island is the larger one of the two.

monhegan aerial roughseas 300x2011 The Main Chance for Maine?

To begin with, the Maine Public Utilities Commission will be voting on whether to grant initial approval for a state contract to the University of Maine and its partner companies to build a two-turbine pilot project off the coast of Monhegan Island, where the wind resource is ideally suited to almost all-year-round electricity generation through the wind. A positive Maine PUC decision is vital for the financing of the project and will help it gain a $50 million federal energy grant. Also, despite concerns from the Moneghan islanders, there’s general public support in Maine where there is a real move to take concrete steps to combat climate change and carbon pollution.

While it may take some time for power users and investors to see non-climate change benefits reaped, the project is likely to create 340 full- and part-time jobs during the three years of planning and construction and create green energy for 7000 Maine homes. However, a thorn in the side is that the project is expected to cost 23 cents per kilowatt-hour — significantly higher than current market rates.

USA Principle Power Hosts Town Hall Meetings 300x1911 The Main Chance for Maine?

The vote should take place in the next few days.

Moneghan Island has very few residents and no cars and was declared a National Natural Landmark nearly fifty years ago for its coastal and island flora. It was and is still regularly visited by artists. Edward Hopper, a famous US artist was a regular visitor and part-time resident.