Posted on October 3, 2024 by NRCM

NRCM Statement 

October 3, 2024 (Augusta, ME) — Today, the U.S. Department of Energy announced $425 million in support of a proposal to connect clean, reliable wind energy from Aroostook County to the rest of Maine, as well as the New England electric grid. The project, proposed by Avangrid, must still be selected by the state’s Public Utilities Commission, which is conducting a procurement for transmission and wind from northern Maine, as well as go through state and federal permitting processes.  

Maine’s leading environmental advocacy group, the Natural Resources Council of Maine, released the following statement from Climate & Clean Energy Director Jack Shapiro: 

“Unlocking the enormous wind resource in Aroostook County will deliver economic benefits to this important region of the state and is a necessary step toward Maine becoming energy independent by freeing our residents from the stranglehold of expensive and unreliable oil and gas. 

Responsible development of new homegrown clean energy sources like wind and solar creates good-paying jobs, helps to stabilize electricity prices, and reduces the air pollution that is fueling climate change and harming our health.  

We look forward to reviewing specific project proposals and will evaluate them based on their ability to deliver lower-cost electricity with indisputable climate and economic benefits while minimizing the impact on local communities and the natural environment as much as possible.”