The Interior Department moved ahead April 30 proposing the first offshore wind energy auctions in the Gulf of Maine and off Oregon, moving the Biden administration’s renewable energy drive into the realm of deeper waters and floating wind turbines.
The Gulf of Maine proposed sale would include eight lease areas off Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, covering nearly 1 million acres with potential for turbine arrays with a maximum rated output of 15 gigawatts, according to the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
(The actual average generation from wind turbines being built in the northwest Atlantic off the U.S. East Coast has been estimated at around 42% to 45% of maximum potential, often referred to as nameplate rating, according to industry sources and the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laroratory.)
Advertisement
BOEM narrowed the lease offering areas from its last wind energy area mapping in the gulf, a process the agency says “prioritized avoidance of offshore fishing grounds and identification of vessel transit routes, while retaining sufficient acreage to support the region’s offshore wind energy goals” of 13 GW to 18 GW.
The Oregon lease offerings are two areas: the Brookings Wind Energy Area of 133,792 acres, about 18 miles from shore, and the Coos Bay Wind Energy Area of 61,203 acres 32 miles offshore. Together the two areas could have potential for up to 3.1 GW of power output rating.
The move to lease areas for floating wind turbines is another level from BOEM leasing on the shallow East Coast outer continental shelf for turbines on foundations in the sea floor. The technology will have its own new issues with anchoring, cables and environmental impact.
Oregon tribes and commercial fishing groups pressed Gov. Tina Kotek trying to block BOEM leasing, and New England fishing advocates have been skeptical of the Gulf of Maine planning process.
BOEM Director Elizabeth Klein said the agency is continuing to work with interest groups: “As we move forward with offshore wind energy in Oregon and the Gulf of Maine, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management remains dedicated to close collaboration with our government partners and key stakeholders.”
Advertisement
BOEM worked with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science to use NOAA ocean resource information when analyzing wind energy areas. BOEM says the process “prioritized avoidance of offshore fishing grounds and identification of vessel transit routes, while retaining sufficient acreage to support the region’s offshore wind energy goals.”
In the Gulf of Maine, BOEM proposes simultaneous auctions for each of the eight lease areas using multiple-factor bidding. In the public comment period before the sales, is proposing bidding credits to wind companies that commit to supporting workforce training programs or supply chain development, or a combination of both, as well as a credit for a fisheries compensatory mitigation fund.
Other potential lease stipulations could focus on vessel transit and baseline environmental monitoring.
In Oregon, BOEM likewise proposes lease stipulations “to create good-paying union jobs and continue robust engagement with Tribal governments, the fishing industry, affected communities, and other ocean users. Potential stipulations for the proposed Oregon sale include providing bidding credits to bidders that commit to supporting workforce training programs for the floating offshore wind energy industry, developing a domestic supply chain for the floating offshore wind industry, or a combination of both.”
Wind companies could gain bidding credits with community benefit agreements with “Tribes, local communities, ocean users, or stakeholder groups expected to be affected by potential impacts from activities resulting from lease development,” according to BOEM.
York residents narrowly voted down a referendum to regulate short-term rentals.
The measure would have required all short-term rental owners to register and secure a three-year permit for their properties with the town. The referendum failed over the weekend by 241 votes.
The proposal sparked dueling campaigns within the town of York this spring.
An opposition group argued that many of the requirements were too onerous for some property owners. Proponents said regulations were needed to better track the number of short-term rentals in the town, and to preserve the quality of life in York neighborhoods.
On May 11 -12, more than 60 high school sailors from throughout Maine competed in the Down East Open and Maine High School Fleet Racing Championships at Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) in Castine.
The weather was in the sailors’ favor as partially sunny skies and winds between 4-13 mph held throughout the two-day event.
Sailors were hosted for this prestigious event by George Stevens Academy (GSA) and all on and off-water accommodations provided by MMA.
Saturday’s racing kicked off with the First A Division race held in a light breeze from the east. The wind then shifted to the southwest and although somewhat shifty picked up to 10 -12 mph for the remainder of the day’s racing.
Advertisement
The race committee, under Peter Clapp and MMA Varsity Sailing Coach Patrick DiLalla, was kept busy shifting marks on the race course to accommodate the changing conditions. At days’ end, Camden Hills and Oceanside high schools were one and two in the 13 boat fleet followed by Islesboro, Cherevus and Greeley.
Day Two started out overcast in very light southwest winds resulting in slow racing and a race abandonment mid-morning. The sun then came out, the breeze came back and steadied in the 8-12 mph range, treating sailors to excellent conditions for the remainder of the regatta.
The racing throughout the day was very close as Camden Hills, Oceanside and GSA battled it out for top honors. At the close of the final race GSA captured the Down East Open Regatta honors by a single point while Camden Hills secured the Maine High School Fleet Racing Championship.
Members of the victorious Camden Hills team included Charlie Conover and Ava Tobias, A Division and Elliot Condon, Teague Buchanan, Oliver Lee and Mabel Wight in B Division.
Additional participants included; Oceanside’s Emmett Dorr and Sarah Vallance in A Division and Henry Weymouth and Sophia Skrivanich in B Division, and Islesboro’s Alma Bewsher and Rosie Brimley in A Division with Eloise Mooney, Harper Conover, Ford Glotzel and Luke Neve competing in B Division.
Advertisement
Of special note, Oceanside’s Henri Weymouth was recognized with the regatta’s Sportsmanship Trophy.
Maine Woodland Owners is set to hold its first free Tree ID Day from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 1, at four locations — Searsport, Farmington, Brownville, and Winthrop.
Merle Ring leads an educational event for Maine Woodland Owners. Submitted photo
During this all-ages event, foresters will guide attendees through Tree ID Trails and demonstrate ways to accurately identify common tree species. Information guides and materials will be provided, as well as refreshments.
Probert Memorial Forest is located at 15 Cobb Road in Searsport.
Advertisement
Clifford Woods is on Titcomb Hill Road in Farmington.
Brownville Woods is located on Davis Street in Brownville.
Georgia Fuller Wiesendanger Wildlife Protection Area is on the Case Road on the Winthrop/Readfield line.
For more information, contact Jenn Hicks at 207-626-0005 or jenn@mainewoodlandowners.org, or register at mainewoodlandowners.org.
Advertisement
Check out other upcoming area events!
« Previous
Schools attend 25th Maine Model United Nations Conference