‘The biggest obstacle now is financing,’ says Stephen Fitzpatrick, president of Biofine Technology LLC, which is partnering with UMaine on a pilot plant at the site.
Tux Turkel
Tux Turkel writes primarily about energy issues affecting Maine. Over the years, he has gazed into the spent-fuel pool at the now-gone Maine Yankee nuclear plant, looked across Casco Bay from atop Wyman Station’s smokestack, and toured power plants and wind farms across the state, but remains confused about why electricity doesn’t leak from our wall sockets.
When he’s not trying to make sense of dense regulatory filings at the Public Utilities Commission, he’s likely to be hiking in the mountains or visiting Maine’s coastal islands in his small motorboat.
A graduate of Emerson College in Boston, Tux lives in Yarmouth with his wife, youngest son, a cat and a guinea pig.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News, Politics
Bill to move Monhegan wind power project draws crowd to legislative hearing
Supporters say the legislation is necessary to protect the island’s lobstering and tourism, but opponents say it would kill a UMaine project that could spark a new industry built around deep-water turbines.
advertisement
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
A short history of the Maine Aqua Ventus project
The 2009 law that designated the site off Monhegan includes a test period of up to 20 years, two turbines with a maximum capacity of 25 megawatts and a transmission cable to the mainland.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News, Politics
Backers tout bill opposed by LePage, CMP to allow more community solar farms
The measure would lift restrictions on current large-scale solar projects, and set new power goals.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News, Politics
Maine needs expanded, higher-level energy office, Republican leader says
It also needs a bigger staff to handle complex issues in a state that pays $7.6 billion for its energy, he says, but funding is an issue.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
A subsidy Maine electric customers pay to encourage renewable energy is up for review
Lawmakers will consider two bills that seek to address deficiencies in the Renewable Portfolio Standard, which even advocates admit isn’t working as intended.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Bill could scuttle UMaine offshore wind project near Monhegan
A proposal backed by some residents of Monhegan would force the relocation of the Aqua Ventus test site, essentially forcing the eight-year project to start from scratch.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Maine is prepared to fight efforts to roll back vehicle fuel-economy standards
Citing the effects of air pollution on the state, the Attorney General’s Office says it has joined other states that have signaled opposition to any weakening of rules set by the EPA in 2012.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Agreement signed to build greenhouses near biomass plant
The letter of intent is the first step in creating viable ventures using obsolete power plants.
Posted inBusiness
Maine searches for opportunities in offshore wind power
A Maine official learns about the economic development and government policies that are creating thousands of jobs and attracting billions of dollars in investment – in the U.K.