Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – The University of Maine at Presque Isle played host to the first Business Associates Breakfast of 2008, co-sponsored by UMPI and Leaders Encouraging Aroostook Development (LEAD) on Friday, Feb. 29, with John W. Gulliver serving as guest speaker.
Gulliver, a partner at Pierce Atwood in Portland, heads the law firm’s Energy Group and its International Practice Group. His presentation focused on Energy: Maine and the World and highlighted what Maine has done so far to ‘go green,’ ways it can improve and how the University of Maine System is working to make campuses more earth friendly by seeking ways to save energy and use forms of energy that can be regenerated – most notably UMPI’s decision to install a wind turbine to produce its own energy on campus.
“Energy is a topic John and I have shared. Looking at current energy prices,” renewable energy and its delivery to customers is something that concerns everyone, said UMPI President Don Zillman.
Gulliver discussed how energy production and supplies haven’t changed a great deal in 40 years.
“Maine, for many years, was at the end of the line and Aroostook County was at the very end,” said Gulliver, who specializes in energy sector restructuring, regulatory reform, commercialization and much more. “Maine was connected at the very end of the chain. Now we’re at the heart – the center. Maine is in a very enviable position.”
He said Maine can be a producer and transporter for today’s energy needs.
“Maine can be an innovator. Once there were farm jobs, now you’re (Aroostook County) is a leading think tank for insurers, software producers here,” said Gulliver.
Gulliver provided a PowerPoint presentation, showing graphs listing the top energy producers in the world. The United States fell far behind other nations, including Saudi Arabia, Canada, Iran and Iraq. He said in order to change that, new forms of energy, such as wind power and biofuel, needed to be produced to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels and provide a boost to the economy.
“There’s a gap in supply and growth. It’s a doable challenge facing us. We need a lot more kilowatts than are currently being produced and we need more renewable sources,” said Gulliver, adding Loring’s bioenergy facility’s target was 55 watts, while the wind farm in Mars Hill had a target of 800 watts.
“There’s a lot in development in Maine. We need to seize the wonderful opportunities before us,” he said.
He said there is a lot of potential development in Maine.
“Maine is at the crossroads – in the center. We’re in the sweet spot – a terrific opportunity,” said Gulliver.
Gulliver said officials needed to strengthen certain areas to make such projects feasible.
“We need to strengthen transmission projects, connections, reliability, ties to southern New England. The role of Maine’s legislature and governor should be to actively pursue such projects,” said Gulliver. “We’re being active in Maine and no longer passive.”
