Governor Opens Maine Wind Energy Conference
October 6, 2009
AUGUSTA – Governor John E. Baldacci provided opening remarks to start a day-long conference focused on wind energy development in the State. The Maine Wind Energy Conference, From Grassroots to Blade Tips: Growing Wind Energy in Maine, brought together representatives from municipal and State government, business, economic development and other sectors.
The Governor said Maine is in a unique position to capitalize on its strengths in order to bring about greater energy independence, economic development and job creation by building wind and other renewable sources of energy. Already, Maine produces 95 percent of the wind power in New England and has developed a regulatory approach that is strong, stable and predictable while balancing important environmental considerations.
“Maine is blessed with abundant natural resources and the research going on at the University of Maine puts us in an excellent position for success,” said Governor Baldacci. “Growing partnerships across the public and private sectors remains a key component to realizing these goals. We want to move aggressively, while maintaining our commitment to community involvement; and being sensitive to environmental impacts with a thoughtful siting process.”
Last month, the Governor led a Renewable Energy Trade Mission to Spain and Germany, and visited a deep-water offshore wind platform in Norway. The trip has the potential to open up incredible opportunities for Maine businesses to attract significant investment to Maine.
Governor Baldacci has also been a leader in the New England region in developing a regional approach to renewable energy production and transmission. The Governor served as the co-chairman of an important meeting of New England Governors, Eastern Canadian Premiers and their representatives in St. John, New Brunswick. He also presented a regional Renewable Energy Blueprint to officials in Washington last month to guide a cooperative approach to renewable energy production and transmission in a way that benefits the State and the region.
In his presentation before the conference attendees, the Governor said much of the ultimate success of wind energy development hinges on partnerships with and among Maine communities. He gave two recent examples of communities that have embraced opportunities to bring wind projects to their areas and hopes to see more community initiated projects.
The Town of Oakfield overwhelmingly approved the development of a 34-turbine wind farm late last month. The votes came during a special town meeting in which voters also rejected a moratorium on wind projects. The project will generate enough electricity to power more than 20,000 homes.
The Fox Island Wind project that will serve Vinalhaven and New Haven is near completion, with power generation expected to begin next month. This is the first community wind project to get off the ground in Maine, and we’re proud of its progress.
“Bold steps must be taken now to control our economic and energy future,” said Governor Baldacci. “The potential for new jobs, new investments and a new energy future is within our grasp. I look forward to working with you to build Maine’s energy future together.”
The Conference included presentations exploring options, examples and potential solutions to challenges in promoting wind energy development. Breakout sessions included such topics as financing wind projects of various sizes; innovations on transmission; Maine’s new community energy pilot program; and schools and wind programs.
