US Offshore Wind Demo Projects Could Get a USD 40 Million Boost

The US Senate has passed the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, a bipartisan legislation which includes a recommendation that USD 40 million be allocated to the offshore wind demonstration programs.

Senator Angus King from Maine has urged the Appropriations Committee to include this language during its markup of the bill.

The University of Maine leads the Aqua Ventus project, which could potentially benefit from the funding if allocated.

The Maine Aqua Ventus I is a two turbine, 12 MW floating offshore pilot project poised to harness the wind resources of the Gulf of Maine. Emera Inc., Cianbro Corporation and Maine Prime Technologies, LLC, a spin-off company representing the University of Maine, formed a collaborative leadership team to develop, construct, and operate the project.

New England/Maine Aqua Ventus is considered part of the Department of Energy’s offshore wind portfolio under the Offshore Wind Advanced Technology Demonstration Projects, along with projects in Virginia, New Jersey, Oregon and Ohio.

“This legislation makes strong investments in our nation’s energy future, bolsters commerce and public safety through waterway development and maintenance, and continues to support research and infrastructure projects across Maine,” Senator King said.

“From harbor dredging along the state’s coast to supporting the University of Maine’s innovative Aqua Ventus project to hopefully finding a solution that can finally move the nuclear waste out of Wiscasset, this bill makes significant headway for Maine and the country.”

The next step would be for the bill to be merged with a counterpart bill from the U.S. House of Representatives in order to be passed by both houses and signed into law.