Governor Baldacci Meets with Secretary Salazar and Atlantic Coast Governors

Governor John E. Baldacci this afternoon(February 19, 2010) met with United States Interior Department Secretary Ken Salazar and a number of other governors representing East Coast states to discuss U.S. strategy on offshore wind power development.

The meeting with the leaders of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf states and Secretary Salazar signified a proactive first step in forming an Atlantic Wind Consortium that will ensure cooperation of the states and the federal government to speed up permitting of off-shore wind facilities.  Planning, siting and permitting of offshore wind will also provide lessons for transmission issues.  The Secretary credited the governors in attendance for being in the forefront of the efforts to harness offshore wind to achieve in energy independence.

“I appreciate the energy and enthusiasm that Secretary Salazar has brought to bear to realize the great potential to create jobs and clean energy through a focused approach to offshore wind development,” said Governor Baldacci.  “Maine has strong potential to become a national leader in offshore wind development and the federal support for our efforts is critical, especially in regards to streamlining permitting.”

Governor Baldacci credited the Obama Administration for its strong focus, financial support and attention to reducing regulatory burdens such as permitting for clean energy production.  While a broad mix of renewable energy sources is necessary to provide secure energy supplies and jobs, Governor Baldacci told the Secretary that ocean wind should continue to receive attention and support from the federal government.  

Maine is particularly well-placed to be a leader in offshore wind energy generation due to favorable geography, broad-based support including public-private partnerships and the technological and workforce strengths that the State has tirelessly built.  Maine’s deep ocean waters relatively close to shore, combined with our extensive maritime industry infrastructure and proximity to large northeastern regional energy markets, makes the Gulf of Maine the ideal location to lead vital deepwater offshore wind development efforts for the nation.

Maine has been recognized by the federal government for its leadership in offshore wind development.  The University of Maine DeepCwind Deepwater Offshore Wind Consortium has been awarded $25 million of federal support, including Federal Recovery Act funds, to expand efforts to develop offshore wind capacity.  

In December, the Baldacci administration named demonstration sites for offshore wind technology located in Maine coastal waters, including the University of Maine testing site off MonheganIsland.  The University has the goal for the first demonstration turbine to be operating in the water in 2011.  

“Additional federal funding and a coordinated approach by federal agencies for siting of ocean wind and turbine projects are essential to facilitate ocean energy production in Maine,” said Governor Baldacci.  “Maine is eager to lead the way to a more stable and secure energy supply that is renewable and will create jobs here in this country.  I’m proud of the aggressive steps we have taken in Maine to show what is possible.  We must break the vice grip of the reliance on fossil fuels to heat our homes and run our vehicles to improve our long-term economic and national security.”