The Portland Press Herald reported on the University of Maine-led proposed offshore wind pilot project and its fight for federal funding. Maine Aqua Ventus, a group made up of UMaine and partner companies, is competing against Seattle-based Principle Power for up to $47 million in matching federal energy funds to demonstrate the technology for next-generation offshore wind turbines. The Press Herald also reported members of Maine’s congressional delegation have been actively involved in promoting UMaine’s project.
WABI (Channel 5) and WLBZ (Channel 2) covered the 76th annual Eastern Maine Sportsmen’s Show held in the newly renovated New Balance Field House at the University of Maine. Lois Ann Holmes, an official with the Penobscot County Conservation Association that puts on the show, told WLBZ, “We needed space, and the University of Maine has been so cooperative with us and very helpful to let us grow here.” WLBZ (Channel 2) also reported on children getting a chance to kayak during the show in UMaine’s Stanley Wallace Pool.
The Free Press of Rockland advanced the March 11 University of Maine Singers concert that will take place at the Owls Head Transportation Museum. The show is one of five free public concerts the group is performing in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts over spring break.
A proposed offshore wind pilot project and floating test turbine created by Maine Aqua Ventus, which includes the University of Maine and partner companies, was the focus of the ASME article “First offshore wind turbine for the U.S.” Jake Ward, UMaine’s vice president for innovation and economic development, said university experts recognized renewable energy was a leading growth area for composites, and the amount of wind available off the Gulf of Maine has the potential of being a useful resource.
The New Hampshire Union Leader published a report on the Northeast Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition that will be hosted by the University of New Hampshire’s computer science department March 14–16. The University of Maine’s Cyber Defense Team is slated to compete in the event. One winner and one alternate will be selected to represent the Northeast region at the national competition in Texas during April.
The University of Maine was mentioned in a Mainebiz article about Southern Maine Community College’s composites technology department and its new lab at Brunswick Landing. Graduate students enrolled at UMaine are allowed to take classes at SMCC and earn academic credit. Andy Schoenberg, instructor and chairman of SMCC’s composites technology department, said one UMaine graduate student is currently enrolled in the program, and he expects more will sign up.
Richard Brzozowski, a University of Maine Cooperative Extension educator, spoke with the Portland Press Herald for an article about Maine’s snow depth and its potential to cause flooding and affect future crops. Brzozowski said the winter’s consistent snow cover is beneficial to gardens and farms. He said strawberry crops benefit from the snow protecting them from the cold, and lawns and vegetable gardens can enjoy nitrogen left behind by melting snow. He also warned a snowpack that lasts longer than usual could delay spring bulbs from sprouting, but added the insulating snow cover means the soil won’t take as long to thaw.
WMTW (Channel 8 in Portland) and the Associated Press reported on Maine Gov. Paul LePage citing a maple industry study by University of Maine economist Todd Gabe. Gabe found the state’s maple industry directly contributes nearly $28 million to the state’s economy every year. LePage said the industry has a “huge potential for additional job creation.” MPBN and Boston.com carried the AP report.
The Darling Marine Center and its resources were mentioned in a Boothbay Register article about the Damariscotta River Association’s Estuarine Monitoring Program. The program offers community members a chance to get out on the water and become part of a data-gathering effort that will help determine the health of the estuary. Water samples collected during the program are taken from seven locations beginning at the DMC. The salinity, temperature and other data from the samples are then entered into a DRA database at the DMC. “We’re grateful to the Darling Marine Center for their expert partnership and continued technical consultation on this project,” said DRA Executive Director Steven Hufnagel.
Karlton Creech, University of Maine’s athletic director, was quoted in a Bangor Daily News article about the university’s decision to decline the offer by WABI (Channel 5) to televise UMaine’s Hockey East first-round game against Merrimack College. UMaine officials turned down the offer because they wanted to honor their agreement with their current broadcast partner, WVII ABC 7 and Fox 22, which couldn’t televise the game. Creech said, “Unfortunately, our partner [WVII-Fox] wasn’t able to produce the game for several reasons and we didn’t want to go outside of that [agreement].” He added, “The good news is there are plenty of tickets available so people can watch it in person instead of on TV.”