Windfall for wind energy research, jobs in Maine

By U.S. Sen. Susan Collins
(R-Maine)
    With some of the strongest and most consistent winds in the nation off our coast, Maine has great potential as an ideal location for deepwater offshore wind research. Our state’s potential to take the lead in the development of clean, renewable, and affordable energy recently took two major steps forward.
    First, the U.S. Department of Energy announced an $8 million grant for deepwater offshore wind research at the University of Maine. Second, the final version of the 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations bill included $5 million that I secured for the Maine Offshore Wind Initiative at UMaine.
    Coincidentally, both of these exciting announcements were made on Oct. 15. It was a great day for the state of Maine, the University of Maine, green energy, and for jobs!
    I am excited to have worked with Governor John Baldacci and UMaine Professor Habib Dagher to lead the effort in both of these advancements. The Department of Energy grant is the result of our work with Energy Secretary Steven Chu to fund the development, deployment, and testing of three wind turbines in the deep water off the Maine coast. In June, at my request, Secretary Chu met with Professor Dagher, a leading researcher in composite technology, Governor Baldacci, the rest of the Maine delegation and me at Department of Energy headquarters in Washington to discuss renewable energy and energy efficiency demonstration projects in Maine, which could serve as a national model for the green energy economy.
    In addition, as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I persuaded my colleagues to include $5 million in funding for this vital UMaine research in the Senate’s Energy and Water bill. Although this funding was not included in the House bill, my provision prevailed in the final negotiations and has now been approved by both the House and Senate.
    As Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, I have made energy independence and reducing America’s reliance on foreign oil a priority. In July of 2008, Professor Dagher testified before our committee about the potential for wind power to supply as much as 40 percent of the nation’s energy, calling the Gulf of Maine the “Saudi Arabia of Wind.”
    Having deepwater, offshore wind production, out-of-sight from land, could provide an affordable source of renewable energy directly to the country’s population centers on the coast while creating thousands of new jobs. In addition, it would diversify Maine’s electricity supply. At the hearing, Professor Dagher stated that with proper investment we are only five to seven years away from developing this exciting technology.
    Considering that the majority of the U.S. population lives in coastal states, offshore wind energy could be a significant part of our nation’s energy future. The U.S. has nearly 2,500 gigawatts of offshore wind potential within 50 nautical miles of shore, but more than half of this renewable resource is in waters deeper than 200 feet. Unlocking this vast energy potential requires the development of advanced fixed-foundation offshore wind turbine technologies, as well as testing of floating platforms prototypes.
    Estimates are that development of five gigawatts of offshore wind in Maine – enough to power more than 1 million homes for a year — could attract $20 billion of investment to the state and create more than 15,000 green energy jobs that will be sustained over 30 years. Maine has the manufacturing infrastructure and workforce to partner with the University to make this new industry of deepwater offshore wind technology a reality. Also, the State of Maine has committed its own funding and policy initiatives toward supporting a deepwater offshore wind research center at the University.
    These giant steps forward would not be possible without the expertise and dedication of Dr. Dagher and his outstanding team of researchers at UMaine. I also commend Governor Baldacci for the state policy initiatives supporting a deepwater offshore wind research center at the University of Maine and his leadership in recently formalizing an agreement with the Norwegian company StatoilHydro, the developer of the world’s first deepwater wind turbine, to develop the next generation of this technology here in Maine.
    October 15 was a great day for our state’s environment and our economy. By continuing this collaboration by state and federal governments, university researchers, and the private sector, even greater days lie ahead. These investments in energy independence combined with American determination and ingenuity will enable us to build a stronger economy as we achieve energy security.