Offshore Wind Wire

Voters in Maine overwhelmingly approved a bond measure yesterday that will support the development of deepwater offshore wind technology, the Portland Press Herald reported this morning.

Question 2, as it was known, approved the borrowing of $26 million for a variety of energy issues, including $11 million for research on deep water floating turbines.  Fifty nine percent of Maine voters were in favor of the measure.

The Press Herald quoted William Brennan, president of the Maine Maritime Academy, as saying “our research faculty is pleased to be working with the University of Maine to develop Maine’s offshore wind potential … our students will be involved in the design and operation of the deep-water turbines and the vessels that will be needed to service them in the future.”

The paper also quoted Habib Dagher, the University of Maine professor who has been at the forefront of the state’s offshore wind push, saying that “we are very pleased and grateful … that the vast majority of Maine is  supporting energy independence and green jobs creation that deepwater offshore wind will bring to our state.”