AUGUSTA - The Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) today announced the creation of an Offshore Wind Port Advisory Group (OSWPAG). This group will advise MaineDOT and other state officials regarding the potential development of wind port facilities needed for Maine to realize the environmental and economic benefits of the rapidly developing offshore wind market. Such facilities are integral to advancing the University of Maine's patented floating offshore wind technology and attracting offshore wind industry investment to Maine.
The advisory group process will create a forum for robust stakeholder and public engagement regarding potential port development. This process will also help ensure that environmental and economic benefits to Maine from offshore wind are responsibly balanced with community input and the need to minimize adverse impacts.
The OSWPAG will consist of 19 members representing a spectrum of local, regional, and statewide stakeholders, including representatives from environmental, business, port and marine transportation, fishing, labor, construction, and conservation interests. The OSWPAG members are:
Co-chairs
- Beth Ahearn Maine Conservation Voters
- James Gillway Searsport Town Manager
Other members
- Matt Cannon Sierra Club Maine
- Joshua Conover Lobsterman, Islesboro Marine Enterprises
- Dr. Habib Dagher University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center
- Dennis Damon Maine Port Authority
- Eliza Donoghue Maine Audubon
- Francis Eanes Maine Labor Climate Council
- Ben Lucas Maine Chamber of Commerce
- Capt. David Gelinas Penobscot Bay & River Pilots Association
- Hon. Jessie Gunther Retired Judge
- Sean Mahoney Conservation Law Foundation
- Matt Marks Associated General Contractors of Maine
- Paul Mercer Consultant to the Office of the Governor
- Steve Miller Islesboro Islands Trust
- Rolf Olsen Friends of Sears Island
- Mac Smith Stockton Springs Town Manager
- Jim Therriault Sprague Operating Resources
- TBD Searsport Local Citizen
"MaineDOT and our collaborating state agencies want to thank the members of the Offshore Wind Port Advisory Group for agreeing to be part of this important process," said Bruce Van Note, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Transportation. "We expect the stakeholders on this group to have varying perspectives and to engage in robust and thoughtful discussions regarding the potential for port development to support the rapidly growing offshore wind market. This group's work will provide important input as we look ahead to the ways Maine can help harness clean energy while creating jobs and strengthening our state's economy."
"This process will be a thorough, transparent one that welcomes all perspectives and listens to all voices," said Beth Ahearn, Director of Government Affairs for Maine Conservation Voters and co-chair of the advisory group. "Our goal is to give the state the information it needs to achieve both the environmental and economic benefits of offshore wind."
"We look forward to the conversations about balancing responsible development with preserving the ecological and recreational aspects of what makes us special," said James Gillway, Searsport Town Manager and co-chair of the advisory group. "Renewable energy sources and economic growth both hold the potential to benefit future generations of Mainers. This process will tell us whether offshore wind port development is right for Maine."
This port advisory group process is a companion effort to the Maine Offshore Wind Initiative led by the Governor's Energy Office (GEO), which is exploring the responsible development of floating offshore wind energy in the federal waters off the Gulf of Maine while ensuring balance with our state's maritime industries and environment. A key component of this broader GEO initiative is the development of the Offshore Wind Roadmap, a comprehensive economic development planning process now underway. Working groups of the Roadmap include those studying energy markets, environmental and wildlife issues, supply chain, workforce development, port and marine transportation needs, and fisheries.
State government officials representing MaineDOT, the GEO, the Governor's Office of Policy Innovation & Future, the Maine Department of Marine Resources, and others will serve as subject matter experts to support the OSWPAG's work. New England Aqua Ventus, the firm working with GEO to develop the floating offshore wind research array, and Maine Coast Heritage Trust, the holder of the conservation easement on the 600 acres of Sears Island reserved for conservation, will also be available to serve as technical advisors. MaineDOT will provide logistical and communications support.
The Offshore Wind Port Advisory Group is expected to have its first organizational meeting in the latter part of April. All OSWPAG meetings will be public, and there will be an ongoing opportunity for the public to give input and ask questions. Interested members of the public can find general information and sign up to receive email updates at this website.
The OSWPAG process is expected to continue as needed, at least throughout the rest of the calendar year.