UMaine News

UMaine to Host Public Forum on Wind Energy Resources

Wind power energy experts in transmission, air quality and economics will share their views and answer commonly asked questions at a free public forum on the subject being held Wednesday, Oct. 26 from 6-8 p.m. at the University of Maine’s Wells Conference Center.

The forum is sponsored by the statewide nonprofit Energy and Environmental Technology Council of Maine (E2Tech) to discuss Maine’s wind power industry and regional energy goals for the future. A panel consisting of UMaine professor of economics Gary Hunt, Charles Colgan from the Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine, Colin High from Resource Systems Group in Vermont, and Brian Conroy, director of electric system engineering for Central Maine Power, will engage in a discussion about benefits and consequences of generating electricity from Maine wind resources. Chris Facchini of Channel 2 (WLBZ) in Bangor will moderate the discussion, which will be shared by teleconference with a location at USM.

The event is one of a series of public forums E2Tech is organizing in a town hall meeting structure to provide accurate information and facilitate public discourse on key energy and related economic issues. E2Tech anticipates other forum topics to include: onshore wind energy development, offshore wind energy development, and ocean energy potential for Maine – tides and wind.

Issues to be discussed Oct. 26 include wind power jobs and economic impacts, wind power subsidies, wind power consistency and the electrical grid, and effect on air quality and carbon emissions.

E2Tech promotes environmental and energy technology — clean tech — in the belief that the sector is critical to economic development and environmental sustainability in Maine. The council says it serves as a catalyst to stimulate growth in Maine’s clean tech sector by facilitating networking among professionals and serving as a clearinghouse of information through events and forums, conducting special projects, and engaging in general sector support.

Organizers request that people wishing to attend the forum register through the E2Tech website.