Could Maine Become an Industry Leader for Renewable Energy?
Thursday, May 8, 2008
There is so much discussion these days surrounding the high cost of fuel, energy management, renewable energy, conservation, and the distressed economy, that it makes me wonder what kind of foresight and effort the state of Maine is putting forth in order to shape our future. After reading an article from Power Magazine on the topic of wind power and current renewable energy legislation that is being passed by other states (see below), it made me question what kind of work our own state is doing to not only be a leader in renewable energy efforts, but possibly generate economic benefits. Why can't we support wind turbine, solar panel, or alternative fuel producers and manufacturers and the potential business they could bring to the state of Maine? Aren't we equipped with many of the resources necessary for such a partnership? Instead of lagging behind the country in so many areas- why not be an innovative leader in something? I would love to hear some feedback...especially from Maine business leaders, government officials, or politicians on what our state is doing in the area of renewable energy and business development related to this topic. Posted by Erin Demshar, Executive Recruiter for Power Generation Field Services & Engineering, with FPC of Bangor. ARTICLE from POWER Magazine: Wind industry asks Mich. governor to make "fresh start" The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) and seven of its members sent letters on Tuesday to Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) and Senate Energy and Technology Committee Chairman Bruce Patterson (R) saying that recent Michigan House legislation would jeopardize at least $2 billion of new investment in wind energy projects under development in the state. The letter to Granholm asked her to veto the legislation if it reaches her desk in its current form. In the letters, the industry expressed appreciation to the two leaders for their efforts on behalf of renewable energy legislation so far but sought support for a "fresh start" with annual renewable energy requirements of 5% by 2010, ramping up 1% per year to 10% by 2015, and said such legislation would create a "nationally significant" market. According to the wind representatives, the bills recently passed by the Michigan House require less than 0.5% of additional renewable energy by 2014. The bills also contain "toothless enforcement provisions" as well as other provisions that potentially undermine cost-effective procurement. The House legislation purports to create a renewable market but actually does not do so, an AWEA release said. AWEA, joined by seven members--including Babcock & Brown, BP Alternative Energy, Iberdrola Renewables, Mackinaw Power, Noble Environmental Power, TradeWind Energy, and Vestas American Wind Technology--stated that because the House bills fail to create a market of any significant size, they also fail to provide any incentive for manufacturers to establish production facilities or create jobs in the state. Vestas is the largest producer of wind turbines in the world. "Last week Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland signed legislation creating a real market for renewable energy in Ohio and aggressively positioning Ohio manufacturers to compete in the growing wind energy market. It is not too late for Michigan to do the same," said Hans Detweiler, AWEA manager of state legislation.Comments