Maine Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology has unanimously voted to give the bill LD 295, intended to promote tidal energy projects, an ought not to pass recommendation.
The rejection followed mostly negative testimonial on behalf of Washington County residents and organizational leaders. Only three out of 20 testimonials was in favour of tidal energy.
The bill would have updated the state’s Ocean Energy Act to include not just hydrokinetic tidal action but hydropower projects that use “the difference between water levels on either side of a marine enclosure.” This would also include a dam, barrage or impoundment system.
Also, the will would increase net installed generating capacity from five megawatts to 25.
The Quoddy Tides, a local newspaper, reported that Public Advocate Timothy Schneider stressed the bill would benefit a Pennamaquan tidal project proposed by Halycon. “The bill amends the Ocean Energy Act to fit this single developer’s preferred project size and contact structure,” said Schneider.
The next legislative step under the Maine’s path of legislation is the second reading where the floor amendments to the bill may be offered.
OffshoreWIND staff; Image: maine.gov