Renewable Energy

Maine is blessed with abundant forests - nearly 90 percent of Maine - and the vast resources of a 3,500 mile-long coast line, 4,613 islands and the Gulf of Maine. These resources have been the backbone of Maine’s economy for many, many years.

Today, there is a new opportunity, to use these resources for existing purposes such as the paper industry and fishing and lobstering, and for recreation, but also to generate renewable energy.

Renewable energy is important now, as we learn about the effects of global warming, and the need to reduce our carbon footprint. Maine has been a national leader in many ways, including being a part of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

But we are also a state that is exceedingly dependent upon fossil fuels, because 80 percent of us heat our homes with oil, and most of us drive our cars to work. Two summers ago when oil prices spiked, we quickly learned how much high prices can hurt our economy and our way of life.

With technological progress, it is now possible to imagine a time when we will heat our homes and drive our cars powered by electricity generated from wind turbines in the Gulf of Maine or from tidal power or even algae from the sea. Some of these technologies are within 5-10 years away; others may take more time.

There are many challenges on the way to this vision, and we must address them systematically and methodically, working through complicated policy issues related to transmission, regulation, jurisdiction and public financing.

This is a long-term project that requires leadership, perseverance to keep moving towards this goal.