The Advanced Structures and Composites Center at the University of Maine plans to place a one-eighth-scale prototype of a floating deep-sea wind turbine in the harbor off Dyce Head in Castine, sometime in April of 2013. The 20 kilowatt or 27 horsepower turbine, called "VolturnUS", was developed by professor Habib Dagher, who will build its components with engineering students. It will be shipped to Cianbro's facility in Brewer for assembly and thence towed by a tugboat from Maine Maritime Academy to the test site in Castine Harbor.
Read More in the Bangor Daily News.
The U.S. Green Building Council has given Avesta Housing of Portland the “2012 LEED for Home Outstanding Affordable Developer” award for the Oak Street Lofts project. Dana Totman, president of Avesta, said, “this award from the U.S. Green Building Council shows we’re still on the forefront of green design, and we’re proud to receive this recognition for Oak Street Lofts.”
On February 5, 2013, Governor Paul LePage gave his State of the State address to the Maine Legislature. After disparaging Maine's Renewable Portfolio Standard and a recently-approved offshore wind project, the Governor pledged to fast-track permitting for natural gas infrastructure development and re-attempt to remove the 100 MW restrictions on hydropower. There was no mention of energy efficiency.
On Thursday, January 24, 2013, the Maine Public Utilities Commission approved Statoil's term sheet proposal to install four wind turbines 12 miles off the coast at Boothbay Harbor, in 460 feet of water. The vote was 2-1 in favor of the $120-million project.
Mt. Abram Ski Area in Greenwood, Maine is the second ski area in the USA to install charging stations for electric and hybrid/electric vehicles. The two 220-volt charging centers are located close to the main lodge, rewarding guests who arrive in electric and hybrid cars.
Tim Vrabel, the Deputy Director of Efficiency Maine, died at his home in Bath on January 13, 2013, surrounded by family. He was 63. Tim will be missed by all who had the good fortune to work with him.
In the 18th quarterly cap-and-trade auction held in December of 2012, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (or RGGI) brought $1,224,330 into Maine's coffers. This brought Maine's cumulative revenue count to $34,246,622 since the inception of the auctions. Auction proceeds fund various energy efficiency and weatherization programs in Maine.
Wind power generated in Maine is now producing nearly 500 megawatts, enough to supply the average needs of 175,000 households. However, it's still at around 25% the goal set by the legislature, of 2,000 megawatts by 2015. New projects that are in various development stages could soon catapult the state to half of its wind-power goal. After 2015, the next goal for installed wind power capacity was set at 3,000 megawatts by 2020.
On January 7, 2013, the Portland City Council passed a resolution which directs city staff to continue research into a public rail transit link to Lewiston-Auburn, in collaboration with officials from Lewiston, Auburn, the Portland Area Comprehensive Transportation System and the Androscoggin Transportation Resource Center. City leaders in L-A plan to study the possibility, as well.
Kenneth Fletcher has resigned his post as the Director of the Governor's Energy Office and Patrick Woodcock of Hampden, who most recently served as Senator Snowe's senior adviser for energy and environment issues will succeed him on January 7, 2013.
