Maine Joins Offshore Wind Consortium; Partnership Will Work to Streamline Development of New Energy Resource

Press Release

Governor John E. Baldacci has joined with the Governors of nine other States and the U.S. Department of Interior to Establish an Atlantic Offshore Wind Energy Consortium.

The Governors and Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to streamline the process for siting deep-water wind energy systems on the Outer Continental Shelf.

"This is an important step for coordinating the efforts of coastal states and the federal government to develop offshore wind energy," Governor Baldacci said. "Work going on in Maine and at the University of Maine positions our State to be a national leader in the development of offshore wind technology. With this agreement, Maine also has the potential to showcase a new streamlined permitting process that could significantly reduce the amount of time required for review."

Secretary Salazar announced the agreement at Capitol Hill Oceans Week 2010 in Washington, D.C.

"I am very pleased to be joining with the governors of Atlantic coastal states to promote the safe and environmentally responsible development of the exceptional wind energy resources off our coasts," Secretary Salazar said in a Department of Interior press release. "Appropriate development of Outer Continental Shelf wind power will enhance regional and national energy security and create American jobs through the development of energy markets and investments in renewable energy technologies."

To advance the efficient, safe and responsible development of offshore wind, the participants will work cooperatively to produce specific recommendations for an improved process.

The nine other states are: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina.

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