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$4.8 Million awarded to Maine towns for energy efficiency |
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AUGUSTA — Just last week, the Maine Public Utilities Commission's Efficiency Maine program awarded grants totaling $4.8 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) dollars to 87 Maine communities around the state for energy efficiency improvements. These funds provide an opportunity for Maine cities and towns to obtain support for energy use planning, for "shovel-ready" projects that previously could not be funded, or for launching early steps of projects that promise long-term energy savings and greenhouse gas reductions. Projects include municipal weatherization work, solar and wind installations, energy audits and planning activities.
Commission Chair Sharon Reishus noted, "The Commission recognizes that towns and cities can lead by example in energy efficiency projects. With the financial support made possible by ARRA, these towns can now demonstrate innovative solutions to energy challenges and support clean energy businesses in Maine."
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Trouble on the wind |
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It's an exciting time in Maine's clean energy community. The first large prototype of a workable tidal power turbine is about to be submerged off the coast of Eastport. Experiments are being conducted offshore to determine whether wind turbines can survive and produce electricity in the challenging environments found in deep water. And on islands and hillsides and mountaintops around the state, commercial windfarms, each capable of generating enough power to provide electricity for whole communities, are finally going into practice.
But there will always be those who resist change, even when that change is in their best interest.
Consider the case of the windmills at Vinalhaven. The three-turbine Vinalhaven wind project is the first wind farm on the Maine coast. The Fox Islands Electric Cooperative is the first electric cooperative wind power project in Maine. The project is located on the island of Vinalhaven and will produce enough power to meet the needs of the residents of Vinalhaven and North Haven.
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Biofuels and ‘clean coal’ hallmarks of new energy policy |
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by Gina Hamilton
Coastal Journal staff
WASHINGTON D.C. -- On February 3, the White House energy task force, consisting of Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, EPA administrator Lisa Jackson, and Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change Carol Browner held a press conference for regional reporters to discuss new energy policy decisions.
President Barack Obama had just announced a series of steps his administration is taking as part of its comprehensive strategy to enhance American energy independence while building a foundation for a new clean energy economy, and its promise of new industries and millions of jobs.
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Tides of change |
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by Gina Hamilton
Coastal Journal staff
BATH — On Friday, the first all-composite water turbine was unveiled at US Windblade, located out on the Town Landing. The huge turbine was the work of Portland-based Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC), in cooperation with US Windblade, and the University of Maine, with support from Maine Technology Institute, Maine Composite Alliance, Chewonki, and the Maine Maritime Academy.
The giant turbine, 46 feet in length and weighing 13 tons, will be able to generate a maximum of 60 kW of electricity when it is deployed at the end of the month in Cobscook Bay, near Eastport.
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Offshore wind demonstration sites named |
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AUGUSTA - Governor John E. Baldacci today received from the Maine State Planning Office and Maine Department of Conservation the results of a search process to identify demonstration sites for offshore wind technology located in Maine coastal waters. Three sites were identified by the process, which included reviewing the geography of the coast to meet certain parameters and extensive meetings with stakeholders. Two of the regions are located near the midcoast, the other is in York County. The sites are off Monhegan Island, Boon Island and Damariscove Island.
“Maine has great potential to be the leader in offshore wind development, and the selection of the demonstration sites is an important step toward that goal,” said Governor Baldacci. “I want to thank this team that has conducted an extensive outreach effort. They ensured that all voices were heard throughout this selection process.”
The team from the State agencies traveled up and down the coast of Maine over the last four months talking with fishermen, citizens, local officials and others to determine the best areas to take advantage of Maine’s amazing offshore resources.
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