News Release September 16, 2024 (Augusta, ME) – The federal government today issued its final sale notice for the responsible development of offshore wind in the Gulf of Maine. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) notice sets October 29th as the date for its auction of lease areas for building floating offshore wind projects Read More
Offshore Wind
Climate change is the greatest threat facing the wildlife, outdoor spaces, and coastlines we all cherish as Mainers. We already have the technologies needed to avoid the worst — but we must act now to move rapidly away from expensive and unreliable oil and gas.
Responsibly developing offshore wind in the Gulf of Maine will provide the large amounts of home-grown energy we need to power the future.
Tracking Fossil Fuel Shipments in the Gulf of Maine
I’ve known for a long time that Maine is reliant on heating oil and has heavy emissions from the transportation sector. However, without fossil fuel infrastructure such as oil rigs or fracking wells in Maine, it’s easy to forget just how reliant we are. We import all our fuel, mostly via tanker ships and pipelines. Read More
My Experience Interning for Maine’s Environment
This summer, I’ve been interning with the Natural Resources Council of Maine’s (NRCM) advocacy department. I’ve been working mostly with the climate and clean energy team, my work has consisted of building statewide support for offshore wind development, learning about the expansion of electric vehicle chargers throughout the state, and town opinions on community solar Read More
The Economic Promise of Offshore Wind in Maine
Offshore wind holds great promise for Maine. Floating offshore wind in the Gulf of Maine is expected to generate about half of the electricity Maine needs by 2040 by providing a reliable source of renewable energy. This will bring a once-in-a-century opportunity to create good-paying jobs for Maine workers now and into the future. And Read More
News & Noteworthy—January – March 2024
Each month, we highlight news stories and opinion pieces related to NRCM’s work to protect Maine’s air, land, water, and wildlife. March 2024 NRCM Sustainable Maine Program Manager Vanessa Berry was featured in an NPR story about Maine’s first-in-the-nation Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging law and other states trying to pass similar legislation. L.L. Bean’s Read More
Final Wind Energy Area for Gulf of Maine Protects Key Fishing Ground and Minimizes Wildlife Impacts
BOEM Announcement Sets the Stage for What Could be Nation’s First Floating Offshore Wind Farms News Release March 15, 2024 (Augusta, ME) — The federal government today announced the final Wind Energy Area where development of offshore wind may occur in the Gulf of Maine. The area designated by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Read More
Maine Announces Preferred Site for Offshore Wind Port
Augusta, ME – The Mills Administration today took a critical and necessary step forward in the development of a new port facility to support the growth of offshore wind along Maine’s coast. In a recommendation that was developed after significant stakeholder engagement, environmental and economic analysis, and careful consideration, Maine is recommending to the federal government Read More
Offshore Wind: A Sign of Climate Hope for Maine
The winds that whip across the ocean waters far off Maine’s coastline are a sign of hope as we seek to rapidly reduce our reliance on dirty and expensive fossil fuels and avert the worst impacts of climate change. Placing offshore wind turbines in the Gulf of Maine using floating technology developed by researchers and Read More
Connecting with Community — Reflections on Our Year Together
As 2023 comes to a close, we are entering the traditional season for reflection. This is the time that we look back over the past year, give thanks, and begin to envision what future the new year holds. For me, this has been a momentous year, and I am especially grateful for your warm welcome Read More
