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Home> Maine Hydropower Licensing Projects > Penobscot River Project

Public Notice of Preliminary Permit filed for Penobscot River Tidal Project

The State of Maine hereby provides notice that Maine Tidal Energy Company has filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for a preliminary permit to develop the Penobscot Tidal Energy Hydroelectric Project (Docket number 12668-000) which would be located in the Penobscot River west of Verona Island , in Hancock County , Maine . FERC has published a Notice accepting the application for filing and soliciting motions to intervene, protests and comments.

Project Description:

The Penobscot Tidal Energy Hydroelectric Project would consist of 100 tidal in-stream energy conversion devices (TISEC) consisting of rotating propeller blades and integrated generators with a capacity of 0.5 to 2.0 MW, anchoring systems, mooring lines and interconnection transmission lines. The project is estimated to have an annual generation of 8.76 gigawatt hours per unit per year which would be sold to a local utility. A copy of the application can be viewed on the Commission’s website at http://www.ferc.gov using the “eLibrary” link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. For assistance, call toll-free 1-866-208-3676 or email FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or call 202-502-8659 or 202-502-8371. Individuals wishing to be included on the FERC mailing list should indicate by writing to the Secretary of the Commission at FERC, 888 First Street NE , Room 2A, Washington , D.C. 20426 .

 

Intervention/public comment:

The deadline for filing comments, protests and motions to Intervene is July 1, 2006. All documents (original and eight copies) should be filed with: Magalie R. Salas, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE , Washington , D.C. 20426 . Motions to intervene, comments and protests must be filed in accordance with FERC’s procedural rules. See 18 CFR 385.210, .211, .214. All comments, protests or motions to intervene must be received on or before the specified deadline. Filings may be made electronically via the Internet. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a) (1) (iii) and the instructions on the Commission’s website (http://www.ferc.gov) under the “eFiling” link. The Maine State Planning Office/Office of Energy Independence and Security intends to file a motion to intervene and comments. A copy of any motion to intervene must be served upon each representative of the Applicant specified.

 

Contacts for additional information:

FERC contact: Chris Yeakel, (202)-502-8132, Chirs.Yeakel@ferc.gov ; Applicant Contacts: Joseph A. Cannon, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, 2300 N Street, Washington D.C. 20037 , phone: (202)-663-8000, and Charles B. Cooper, TRC Environmental, Boott Mills South, 116 John St. , Lowell , MA . 01852, phone: (978)-656-3567; State contact, John Kerry , Office of Energy Independence and Security, 207-287-3292, john.kerry@maine.gov

 

Review Process: 

A preliminary permit, if issued, does not authorize construction. The term of a preliminary permit is 36 months. The work proposed under a preliminary permit would include; economic analysis, preparation of preliminary engineering plans and studies of environmental impacts. Based on the results of these studies, the Applicant would decide whether to proceed with the development of an application to construct and operate the project.