Offshore Wind Wire

Politicians in Maine have been pushing hard for offshore wind development.  On Wednesday, Maine voters will have a chance to weigh in on the effort and it will be interesting to see if the community feels as strongly about offshore wind as the community leaders do.

One of the five ballot questions being presented to voters will give the state bonding authority to develop the nascent offshore wind industry.  In today’s Bangor Daily News, two nonprofit officials urge voters to approve question 2, which will provide more than $26 million to finance UMaine’s deep-water offshore wind energy demonstration project.

National Grid Sticks Up For Cape Wind

The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities is reviewing the power purchase agreement between Cape Wind and National Grid, which starts at 20.7 cents per kilowatt hour and increases 3.5 percent annually.  The Boston Globe reported over the weekend that National Grid filed documents defending its agreement to buy the significantly-above-market-rate electricity.

The Globe quotes National Grid senior vice president Richard Rapp as saying that “Cape Wind is a critical starting point to fill a gap in meeting renewable energy targets regionally … Without Cape Wind, the aspirations and requirements of the Commonwealth and the region cannot be met.”

Michigan Wind Farm Debate Continues

The Muskegon News reported last week that West Michigan residents continue to square off over Scandia’s proposed Lake Michigan wind farm.

The developer has asked four country boards to decide if they can accept the visual impact of a wind farm.  County officials are holding a series of community forums to hear from the community.  Scandia has asked for a decision by September 1.