The Biden administration has granted a request from the State of Maine to lease 15.2 square mile in the Gulf of Maine for an offshore wind array.
The “research lease” site is located 28 nautical miles off the coast of Maine, southeast of Portland, and if developed would allow for the construction of up to 12 floating wind turbines capable of generating up to 144 megawatts of energy.
[RELATED: Biden Admin Proposes Sale of 1 Million Acres in Gulf of Maine for Offshore Wind Projects…]
Tuesday’s approval of the research lease dates back to an October 2021 application by the State of Maine to lease the 15.2 square mile area in the Gulf for the purpose of researching floating offshore wind energy technology and deployment.
“Floating wind technology can make offshore wind a reality in the Gulf of Maine,” said Director of the U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Elizabeth Klein.
“BOEM will continue to work in partnership with the state of Maine as we move forward to facilitate the responsible development of offshore wind in this region, as well as the deployment of floating offshore wind technology nationwide,” Klein said.
BOEM also announced that it will publish the Final Environmental Assessment (Final EA) regarding potential environmental impacts of the planned offshore wind turbine lease area on Wednesday.
According to BOEM, the Final EA found that developing the 15.2 square mile area “would have no significant impact on the environment.”
“As a result, under the National Environmental Policy Act, BOEM is not required to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement in order to issue a wind energy research lease offshore Maine,” the agency wrote in their Tuesday press release.
[RELATED: Jared Golden Slams Biden Admin’s Approval of Foreign-Owned Offshore Wind Projects…]
In a Tuesday statement, Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) applauded BOEM’s approval of the research lease area as a “tremendous opportunity” for Maine to “create good-paying jobs and drive economic development, and to reduce our over-reliance on fossil fuels and fight climate change.”
“This offer of a lease is a major milestone in our effort to embrace these significant economic and environmental benefits for Maine and Maine people and is a recognition of our nation-leading work to responsibly develop this promising industry,” Gov. Mills said.
“My Administration looks forward to reviewing the lease from BOEM over the coming weeks as we strive to advance critical research into floating offshore wind in the Gulf of Maine,” Mills added.
[RELATED: Maine Seeks Federal Funding to Develop Historic Untouched Sears Island For Green Energy…]
The governor’s press release also noted that the state intends to utilize floating concrete platforms designed by the University of Maine for the turbines included in the research array.
The State of Maine has 30 calendar days from May 24, 2024, to accept, reject or request modifications to the lease offered by BOEM.
another stupid green loser project.
hows the power gonna get to land? will this slow down the afternoon seabreeze and make me run my ac longer? when it slows down air currents will the tailpipe of nation be constricted? what about the whales? windmill=wind resistance=slower wind speeds…
what if windmills didnt create power but used power to slow down air currents to facilitate geo-engineering ( weather modification)….. what if you paid for it thru ever increasing power bills?! what if joe didnt really win?!
Stupidest idea of an economic benefit I have ever seen.Those floating turbines give me a sinking feeling.
The democrats have to destroy the environment in order to save it. And yes there will be significant impact on the environment.
If these go in you can say goodbye to the North Atlantic Right Whale.
what about the whales?
Lies, lies,and more lies! If you believe anything our evil aunt Janet is spewing, do I have a deal on swamp land for you!!!!
“ Capable of generating 144 mega watts “ …..” Capable “ means nothing ….these crazies have NO Idea how much these things will “ actually “ produce . …how bout we say “ maybe “ ….” might “ ………. “ We hope they produce “ …..Lies Lies Lies
U of M designed floating concrete structures ….LOL ….Are these the same student engineers who filled Kenduskeag Stream full of their busted concrete canoes ? Oh joy .
If there was a way to attach a document here, I would append one I wrote late last year discussing the “butterfly effects” of windmills by the thousands, along with several other factors.
I will check with the editors to see if they might consider posting the article.
According to BOEM, the Final EA found that developing the 15.2 square mile area “would have no significant impact on the environment.” This is so wrong. The government is policing itself, they’re deciding what is ‘significant’. When it pertains to their own agenda, there’s not impact. And, like another person posted. Our we to have 28 nautical miles of underwater cable?…And, what about a study involving the impact on the whales and other species? This is such BS!!!!!!So sick of the Maine people being run over by this stuff!!!!! Why the hurry? And, how about letting the Maine people know what’s in the lease? Who’s going to profit from it, where’s the money going to go? So disgusted with this state.