Maine Islands Coalition Minutes May 1, 2009

In Attendance:

Roger Berle, Chair, Cliff Island
Marjorie Stratton, Co-Chair, Vinalhaven
Malcolm Donald, Rep, Cranberry Isles
Eva Murray, Rep, Mantinicus Island
Rudy Graf, Rep, Isle au Haut
Pete Anderson, Rep, Islesboro
Alden Finney, Rep, Great Diamond Island
Mark Green, Rep, Long Island
Dexter Lee, Rep, Swan's Island
Mike Langella, Rep, Peaks Island
Betsy Weber, Rep, Great Diamond Island
Paul Lewis, Isle au Haut
Ellard Taylor, Isle au Haut
Donna Weigle, Swan's Island
Sam Saltonstall, Peaks Island
Joanna Whitehead, Islesboro
Herb Maine, Chebeague Island
Ed Schwabe, Swan's Island Electric Co-op
Thomas Bernardi, Large Scale Marine Art
John Haven, Newmarket, NH
Ed McAleney, Long Island, Windblades, LLC
Anna Demeo, College of the Atlantic
Buzz Scot, Oceans Wide
Rob Benson, Seacoast Mission
Sean Mahoney, Conservation Law Foundation
Philip Conklin, President, Island Institute
George Baker, Island Institute
Katie Chapman, Island Institute
Emma Miran, Island Institute
Chris Wolff, Island Institute
Gillian Garratt-Reed, Island Institute
Mary Terry, Island Institute

 

Meeting Called to Order:

Roger Berle called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. and welcomed guests and committee members.  Roger noted that many legislators sent regrets as they are in the midst of budget meetings in Augusta.

Wind Power and Alternative Energy Panel Discussion:

Pane Discussants:

George Baker, Island Institute

Marjorie Stratton, Town Manager, Vinalhaven

Sam Saltonstall, PEAT, Peaks Island

Sean Mahoney, Maine Conservation Law Foundation, Ocean Energy Task Force

 

George Baker opened the discussion with an overview of Community Wind on the coast of Maine and went on to discuss the Fox Islands Wind Energy Project.  On most islands, energy costs are high, infrastructure costs are high and there is an excellent wind energy resource available. 

An overview of George's remarks may be found at:  (see attached PDF file - Maine Islands Coalition.)

A question and answer period followed George's overview.  Questions centered on selling of wind-generated power, setbacks, the possibility of offshore development, and how Community Wind generated energy is priced. 

Selling of wind-generated power involves a negioated contract between two entitites addressing the sale of power generated when the wind is available and the purchase of power when the wind is not generating power. 

Setbacks for wind turbines are determined by local, state and federal regulations and vary based upon the size and height of the turbines.  Generally, setbacks are determined to address noise, ice throw, visual impact, and other related issues.

The possibility of offshore development is exciting but involves a different set of issues.  Sean Mahoney addressed some of these issues later in the meeting.

Community Wind energy is priced based upon the debt service for the project, project operating expenses and the net value of renewable energy credits.

Marjorie Stratton, Vinalhaven Town Manager, spoke to municipal issues around Community Wind on Vinalhaven.  The Fox Islands project, developed by Fox Islands Electric Co-op (FIEC), is the result of several years of studying the potential for alternative energy.  FIEC has worked with Representative Hannah Pingree, George Baker, a director of the Swans Island Electric Coop, and the Island Institute to develop the details of a plan. 

In 2007, the municipality established a wind power ordinance. Smaller projects were addressed through a later amendment.

The Co-op worked with the public to explain how a community wind project might work.  People on island generally think it is "the right thing to do."  The municipality and residents hope that this project will stabilize energy rates.  A community wide vote was overwhelmingly supportive of the project.

The Co-op is actively working with the community to work out the challenges of building the project.

Several attendees posed questions to Marjorie. 

Who owns the land?  The land is leased from the two islands.

Is the site for the three towers the same parcel?  Yes, the turbines are on one plot set roughly 800 feet apart for wake effect curtailment.

What has the community involvement been like and what methods has FIEC used to allay concerns?  There have not been many concerns voiced.  Most community members are excited about the project.  FIEC worked to educate the community, both year round and summer residents.  The cost spikes experienced by residents made the project feasible as a way to stabilize rates.  The FIEC has been open and honest and acknowledged the risks.  They asked the community if they want to "do this" project.

Sam Saltonstall discussed the Peaks Environmental Action Team's process in exploring the feasibility of wind energy on Peaks Island.  The initiative grew out of regular PEAT meetings last fall.  Members began to realize they had many questions and worked to create a report to present to the Peaks Island Council (PIC).  Much of the material collected for the report indicated that measuring the wind was a "doable" project.  PEAT members continued to educate themselves and the community.  PEAT members attended the Island Institute's Sustainability Conference, invited George Baker to speak on Peaks, contacted Efficiency Maine and eventually began working with Mick Womersley of Unity College.  PEAT continues to hold monthly educational events that are open to the community.

PEAT has gained support from the PIC to pursue the installation of an anemometer to measure the wind resource.  PEAT is now working with Mick Womersley to locate,  install, and monitor the unit.  Sam noted that changing legislative landscape has made this process interesting.

For additional information on the Peaks Island wind exploration, please see:

PEAT Website:  http://greenerpeaks.org/

Unity College's wind site (Assoc. Professor Mick Womersley):  http://www.unity.edu/facultypages/womersley/windweb.htm

Emergent Webinar (use Active X controls to watch):  https://eval.webex.com/eval/lsr.php?AT=pb&SP=EC&rID=31579372&rKey=B2320A16BB32D9D0

Sean Mahoney, Conservation Law Foundation, spoke to the wider picture.  The Governor appointed Sean to the Ocean Energy Task Force in the fall of 2008.  Sean noted that the Gulf of Maine has a strong wind resource that supports land based and shallow water offshore possibilities.  He mentioned that there is developing technology that shows real promise for deep water off shore wind power.

Sean noted that capturing the benefits of land based wind, shallow water wind, deepwater wind, tidal power, and other renewable resources is valuable.  In Maine, 80% of homes heat with oil, 99% of our vehicles depend on oil and oil costs are increasing over time.  Increasing costs lead to a financial and moral crisis of how to keep Mainers safe and warm.

The Ocean Energy Task Force is working in two phases.  In the short term, they are addressing the issue of attracting development interest in energy generation that is environmentally appropriate and beneficial to coastal and island communities.  In the long term, the Task Force is working on a process to predict, permit and regulate off shore wind generation.  Again, in a way that will be environmentally appropriate and beneficial to island communities.

Participants discussed the need to look at any impact of these projects on local community communication issues, especially for islands who depend upon microwave.  

A conversation around the storage of power as critical to the scale of wind power took place. 

Sean noted that the efficient use of power is important as is working to keep energy related monies within the Maine State economy.  He suggested that Maine islands look at off shore wind as opportunities for economic participation such as maintenance and operations jobs.

For additional information related to Sean's presentation, please see:

Ocean Energy Task Force Site:  http://www.maine.gov/spo/specialprojects/OETF/

Subcommittee on Environmental and Human Impacts: http://www.maine.gov/spo/specialprojects/OETF/subc1_environmentalhumanimpacts.htm

Conservation Law Foundation:  http://www.clf.org/

The group broke for lunch and information conversation at 12:15.

At 1 pm, Roger called the meeting back to order. 

General updates:

Maine Ocean Renewable Energy Coalition (M.O.R.E.) - Gillian Garratt - Reed

The mission of M.O.R.E. is to promote the responsible development of renewable ocean energy in the Gulf of Maine to equitably allocate the benefits amoung marine dependant users.  The coalition is an opportunity for island and remote coastal communities to work together to address the issue of ocean energy.  Gillian invited interested parties to contact her at ggarratt-reed@islandinstitute.org to receive coalition information and updates.

Working Waterfront - Gillian Garratt - Reed

Rep Hannah Pingree and Governor Baldacci have sought bond funding for the Working Waterfront Access Pilot Program.

The final deadline for this latest round of funding is May 15.  There may be some November funding, but that will be determined by the May 15 funding round.

Rep Shelley Pingree has re-introduced a National Working Waterfront Bill in Congress.

For additional information on Maine's Working Waterfront Access Pilot Program see:  http://www.wwapp.org/

Island License Area Management Bill - Gillian Garratt-Reed

This bill, H.P. 851, began here at an MIC meeting of coastal Legislators, fishermen and DMR representatives.  The bill addresses the struggles that island fishermen face under limited entry.

The bill sets a base level of licenses per island community.  Either 5 fishermen or 10% of fishermen from a given island must petition the Commissioner for a baseline number.  Once a baseline is set, there will be a 1 to 1 ratio of replacement for that island.

The zones are now meeting to determine support for this bill.  The MLA Board supports the bill with the caveat that licenses stay with islands not with fishermen with the exemptions for medical and educational absences.

(Update as of 5/11/09 - The committee voted that it ought to pass with the amendment that a person must live and fish on the island for 8 years before a license can be transferred off the island into the rest of the zone. The bill will be reprinted with the amendments and passed on to the house and senate this week.)

For more information on this issue, please see:  http://janus.state.me.us/legis/LawMakerWeb/summary.asp?ID=280032275

Maine Affordable Housing Coalition - Mary Terry

The MAHC continues to work on The Campaign for Energy Efficiency, Affordable Housing and Economic Development.  The bill has been dropped but the intent of the bill is included in a larger comprehensive omnibus bill to be introduced by the Joint Select Committee on Maine's Energy Future.  The intent is to provide money for safe, affordable, energy efficient housing stock in a way that provides employment opportunity, addresses energy efficiency and safety, and improves housing stock.  Language has been included to address the needs of island and remote coastal communities.  The bill will be introduced the week of May 11.

For more information on this issue, please see:  http://www.mainehousingcoalition.org/housing_policy.asp

Midcoast Fishermen's Association - Jen Litteral

Glen Libby, President of the Midcoast Fishermen is Association, is under consideration for the at large Maine Seat for the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC).  

It was moved and seconded that the MIC support Glen Libby for  NEFMC.  The vote was unanimously in favor.

For more information regarding the MidCoast Fishermen's Coalition, please see:  http://www.midcoastfishermen.org/

Comments and Island Happenings:

Swan's Island will have a Rescue 21 tower installed for use for boats in distress.

Isle au Haut will begin work on a new wharf this coming fall.  The wharf will replace the existing wharf and will be longer and wider.

MIC island assessment will remain at $200 for the next year.  Roger noted that invoices would be out in the next couple of months.

Emma Miran, Stonington Fellow, described the The Stonington Buy Local program.  The program urges people to support the local economy using advertising and a local business directory.  The town administers a micro-loan program and the group has received a Community Development Block Grant.

Topics for the next meeting were discussed.  It was decided to focus the next meeting on enhancing island employment and affordable housing through the lens of island economic development.

Roger thanked the group for a good discussion.   The meeting adjourned at 1:45 pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Mary K. Terry

Island Institute Fellow

05/09