Dear Friend of MCV,

Today, we joined Governor Mills and partners including Maine Audubon, the Natural Resources Council of Maine, allies from organized labor and the University of Maine, Searsport community members and others in support of a new offshore wind port on Sears Island.

To capture the large amount of offshore wind needed to power the future and create new jobs, we need a port based in Maine that will allow for the construction and deployment of floating wind turbines. For the past several years, the state has been thoughtfully conducting the outreach and research required to make this decision.

This is the first step in an extensive process that will determine where a port will be developed. Moving forward, there will be several rounds of review for required state and federal permits. This will include many more opportunities for public input.

Throughout this process, you can count on MCV and partner organizations to actively push to ensure that the new port has the least impact on – and most benefits for – the environment and local communities. Offshore wind development can and must be designed and executed with a strong commitment to protecting coastal and marine ecosystems.

Communities across Maine are already experiencing the devastating impacts of climate change. Offshore wind is one of our best opportunities to reduce the state’s reliance on dirty and expensive fossil fuels and realize ambitious clean energy goals. The Gulf of Maine has some of the strongest and most consistent winds [[link removed]] in the world – strong enough [[link removed]] to heat every home and power every car in the state. Building an offshore wind port will harness this resource while creating jobs, acting on climate, and establishing the state as a national leader in floating offshore wind.

The transition to clean energy means taking bold action. Meeting our climate goals will require a disruption in the way we’ve always done things. We recognize any project of this scale and size can rightfully cause environmental concerns, especially in a place as special as the coast of Maine. That’s why MCV will be engaging in the permitting process, carefully monitoring this project, and advocating for responsible and sustainable practices.

Click here to read today's press release [[link removed]]. And stay tuned – we will be sharing more information and ways you can get involved in the coming weeks and months. 
 
Onward,

Beth Ahearn | she/her
Director of Government Affairs
Maine Conservation Voters
[email protected]

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