King Applauds PUC Decision to Approve Term Sheet for Maine Aqua Ventus Project

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King today applauded the decision by the Maine Public Utilities Commission to approve a term sheet for the Maine Aqua Ventus pilot offshore wind project. The term sheet lays the foundation for a long-term contract between Maine Aqua Ventus and Central Maine Power, which controls the area where the project would be generating power.  The pilot project marks the next phase in the University of Maine’s development of offshore wind technology. Earlier last year, UMaine launched a prototype of this industry-leading floating turbine design that became the country’s first offshore wind turbine to provide electricity to the grid.

Approval from the PUC makes the project eligible for a vital $47 million grant from the Department of Energy.

“Maine has a strong record of leadership in America’s offshore wind industry and, just as the University of Maine launched America’s first floating turbine last summer in Brewer, today’s decision by the PUC marks another important step forward for Maine,” said Senator King. “In a time of rising energy costs, carbon pollution, and a changing ocean environment, it is imperative that we find innovative ways to increase our use of clean, renewable energy sources. The Maine Aqua Ventus project embodies that effort and holds great promise to bring clean, locally-produced energy to homes throughout Maine and the northeast at a reasonable cost. I applaud the PUC for their decision to help move the project forward, which will not only help to provide a spark to the industry, but also create hundreds of new jobs in the area. I look forward to working with Maine Aqua Ventus on the next steps, including securing support from the Department of Energy.”