Proposal before Maine lawmakers would jumpstart offshore wind projects
Maine is poised to launch an offshore wind program that would meet clean energy goals and produce enough power for about 900,000 homes from floating wind turbines in the Gulf of Maine
AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine is poised to launch an offshore wind program that would meet clean energy goals and produce enough power for about 900,000 homes from floating wind turbines in the Gulf of Maine.
The goal calls for requests for proposals to be issued for 3,000 megawatts of electricity from offshore wind turbines by 2040. That’s enough electricity to power about half of Maine's electricity load.
The bill was revised after a veto by Democratic Gov. Janet Mills to ensure non-union companies can get into the business, setting a path to approval by the Maine Senate and House on Tuesday.
Approval would put Maine on a path to catch up with other states that already have offshore wind projects. The catch, however, is that the wind turbines would be farther offshore than those projects, and would involve floating turbines. It also includes incentives aimed at ensuring wind power developers steer clear of lucrative lobster fishing grounds.
The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Mark Lawrence, D-York, said he believes the compromise bill has necessary «guardrails in place to make sure this is done right and truly benefits Mainers.”
The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management already approved projects that are now under construction off Massachusetts and off New York and Rhode Island, and it gave the green light earlier this month for New Jersey's first offshore wind to begin construction. Next month, it will hold an auction for leases in the Gulf of Mexico.
In Maine, the timeline calls for the federal lease sales to be completed next year and for the state to
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