Maine Governor Janet Mills has unveiled the state's decision to designate a section of state-owned Sears Island, specifically reserved for port development, as the preferred site for a port facility aimed at bolstering the floating offshore wind industry.
The selection of the Sears Island parcel follows an exhaustive public stakeholder process spearheaded by the Maine Department of Transportation and Maine Port Authority, aimed at assessing the state's primary port development options. This comprehensive evaluation encompassed multiple potential sites in key port areas including Searsport, Eastport, and Portland.
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After meticulous consideration of factors such as location, logistics, cost, and environmental impact, the state determined that the Sears Island parcel emerged as the most feasible port development site. Input from port and offshore wind stakeholders, including the University of Maine, coupled with technical and engineering analyses, informed this pivotal decision.
Sears Island, a sprawling 941-acre island off the coast of Searsport, has long been earmarked for potential development. With approximately 330 acres reserved for future development by MaineDOT since 2009, the selected site for the proposed port facility encompasses roughly 100 acres, constituting about one-third of the state-owned parcel or a little more than one-tenth of the entire island.
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The envisioned port facility is poised to serve as a purpose-built hub for floating offshore wind fabrication, staging, assembly, maintenance, and deployment. With its deepwater access, Maine aims to establish a premier location for the burgeoning offshore wind industry, catering to the escalating demand for offshore wind port infrastructure across the United States.
Governor Mills emphasized the gravity of the decision-making process, acknowledging the complexities and trade-offs involved in selecting the optimal site. “This was not an easy decision, nor is it one that I made lightly,” she stated. “In carefully considering all factors, Sears Island emerged as the best choice for an offshore wind port due to its existing state ownership, designated purpose for port development, cost-effectiveness, and anticipated minimal environmental impact.”
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Recognizing the significance of the undertaking and its implications for the local community, Governor Mills reiterated her commitment to responsible development. “While the construction of a port represents a significant change to the area, we are mindful of its impact,” she remarked. “However, in weighing the costs and benefits, the parcel on Sears Island presents the most viable opportunity to advance offshore wind in Maine, fostering job creation and delivering clean, renewable energy to benefit Maine's residents and businesses in the long run.”
