Tag Archives: UMaine

It’s Time to Abandon UMaine’s Offshore Wind Scheme in Favor of Cheaper Alternatives

The federal government this week blocked a proposal that would have allowed the Mills Administration and labor unions to bulldoze Sears Island into an industrial wind power port. Although this hard-fought victory is good news for fishermen, ratepayers, taxpayers, and the environment, it’s only temporary. The Mills Administration has given no indication that it will stop its relentless pursuit of expensive and unworkable offshore wind schemes. Depending on how Election Day turns out, the Legislature could be back at the drawing board devising other ways to enrich the wind turbine industry and destroy pristine ocean environments. So it’s worth remembering how we got here, and how Maine’s institutions and media became witting and unwitting pawns in an expensive game of crony capitalism. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 06:35

Regulators apply brakes to offshore wind power project led by UMaine

Longstanding efforts to establish an offshore wind energy industry in Maine suffered a setback Tuesday when state utility regulators voted to reopen a previously negotiated power contract to test a patented technology for deep-water floating wind farms. Since January, supporters of the Maine Aqua Ventus project had expressed concern that action by the Public Utilities Commission to alter a power-rate contract set in 2014 could doom the University of Maine-led venture just as it’s reaching the critical stages for financing and permits. >click to read<10:10

UMaine keeps wind project details secret – proposal will shed light on what consumers can expect to pay

 A business partnership led by the University of Maine has submitted a  highly anticipated proposal for a demonstration offshore wind power  project to state utility regulators. The proposal will shed light  on what consumers can expect to pay for renewable wind energy generated  off the coast of Maine – at least in its developmental stages. But initial assessments will be difficult because UMaine has chosen to keep the entire 100-page document from public view. more@portlandpress  15:10