The state has identified seven offshore areas that it believes could be suitable places for testing wind power technology.
Under a state law adopted in June, state officials must select at least one site, and as many as five, before Dec. 15.
One site will be designated as a wind energy research center operated by the University of Maine. Private companies would be sought to develop projects on any other sites.
Each of the seven areas identified Tuesday encompasses several square miles and will need refinement before choices are made.
A series of five public meetings to examine the feasibility of each location is set to begin Sept. 9 at the Holiday Inn in Ellsworth.
"We are on a fast track," said Robert Marvinney, a geologist with the state Department of Conservation.
The map released Tuesday identifies seven broad areas along Maine's coast where demonstration wind power stations might be built. They stretch from waters near Boon Island off southern Maine to areas near Monhegan Island off midcoast Maine and as far east as coastal waters off the town of Cutler, in Washington County.
The demonstration projects would test components needed to develop deep-water offshore wind power, including floating platforms, anchoring systems and new lightweight blade composites.
Successful projects could make Maine a contender for billions of dollars in energy investment and a proving ground for the idea that offshore wind could heat homes.
Marvinney said several companies have already expressed interest in developing demonstration projects. A company would enter into a five-year lease with the state for the submerged land over which the wind station would float. That means a station could be no more than three nautical miles from shore -- the end of state-owned lands.
If they prove successful, the wind stations could be moved farther out to sea, where winds are generally stronger and capable of generating more power.
Marvinney said a good demonstration site would be a windy location in water that's close to 200 feet deep and free of shipwrecks and other obstacles.
This month's public meetings are planned to gather input on the feasibility of the seven sites, especially from fishermen whose livelihoods may be compromised by such operations.
Marvinney said a wind demonstration project would most likely be installed on a floating platform anchored to the ocean's bottom. Wind turbines would be installed at the top of a platform tower, which could be as tall as 300 feet.
Glen Libby of Port Clyde, who has been groundfishing and shrimping for more than 30 years, remains wary of wind stations, saying that although the ocean seems vast, the parts that produce food aren't infinite.
Libby, who is chairman of the Midcoast Fishermen's Association and was recently appointed to the New England Fisheries Management Council, said fishermen will have to be assured that wind stations won't interfere with their livelihoods.
The location of underwater cables, which would probably have to be laid to send power to the mainland, and the effect of towers floating in the middle of fishing grounds will have to be considered, he said.
"It would be like sticking a bunch of windmills in a potato field. How do you think that would go over?" Libby asked.
The Conservation Law Foundation supports the wind demonstration projects as a way for Maine to reduce its reliance on carbon-emitting energy sources.
Sean Mahoney, vice president and director of the foundation's Maine Advocacy Center, recognizes the concerns of fishermen, but said the Gulf of Maine is big enough so that conflicts can be avoided.
"There has to be community support, not just from those who look out on the waters, but from those who work on the waters," Mahoney said.
Staff Writer Dennis Hoey can be contacted at 791-6365 or at: dhoey@pressherald.com
Reader comments
Click here to view or add comments on this story
Were you interviewed for this story? If so, please fill out our accuracy form