Maine Aqua Ventus' Wind Project: Is It Right for Bristol?

Watch Bristol's WPAC Meetings at http://www.lctv.org     

Project Overview:
In 2009, the State of Maine designated an offshore site near Monhegan Island as a "Maine Offshore Wind Energy Test Site."  As part of a federal competition for significant funding through the Department of Energy, University of Maine, in conjunction with Maine Aqua Ventus, submitted a bid in August 2013 to the Public Utilities Commission for their proposed 12MW floating wind turbine project, which consisted of two floating wind turbines and their associated undersea cables/land-based infrastructure.  If granted funding by the Department of Energy, the turbines were slated to be placed in the Test Center, connected to Monhegan and to an onshore location in Bristol via undersea cable, and selling electricity to the grid by 2017.  

*You can find details about this proposed Project here:  Project Specifications 

*You can find information about Bristol's perspectives here:   Town Perspectives (Survey, Survey Results, Fishermen's Concerns)

*You can find information about various questions/answers regarding the Project here:   Questions and Answers  


**IMPORTANT UPDATES**

October 1, 2014:












October 1, 2014:









Sept. 23, 2014:





June 23, 2014:



June 18, 2014:




May 7, 2014:






Bristol Voters Turned Out in Unprecedented Numbers to Say NO to Cables from Offshore Wind Turbines
  • In addition to a number of non-residents, 227 individuals, or approximately 10% of Bristol's registered voters, packed the Special Town Meeting held in Bristol's gym on October 1.
  • With almost no discussion, an overwhelming majority (an estimated 90-10 split) voted against "allowing placement in our town of high powered transmission cables to connect the grid to the Monhegan wind power test project."
  • Voters also approved the Shoreland Zoning Ordinance Amendments and the addition of $2000 for legal  fees incurred as a result of wind power related issues.

Special Bristol Town Meeting 
WHERE:  Bristol Consolidated School
WHEN:  7:00 p.m.
WHY:  To address Shoreland Zoning Ordinance changes, Harbor Ordinance changes, Citizens' Petition Vote

Meeting with UMaine
WHERE:  Bristol Consolidated School
WHEN:  6:00 p.m.
WHY:  To find out what is going on, how it might involve the Town, and ask questions from representatives of the University of Maine.

The University of Maine met with Bristol's Wind Power Advisory Committee and Bristol's citizens to update them on the current status of the Project, and to answer continued questions regarding the Project.
The University of Maine met with the Monhegan Energy Task Force to update them on the current status of the Project, given the fact that they were not awarded full funding by the Department of Energy.
The Department of Energy (DOE) designated the Maine Aqua Ventus Wind Project as an "alternate grant recipient" and awarded it approximately $3 million to continue the design and engineering aspects of the Project.  Notably, the DOE selected projects in Oregon, New Jersey, and Virginia as recipients for the full funding.