North Haven resident Chellie Pingree says Maine project is “example” for the nation

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree joined Governor John Baldacci, House Speaker Hannah Pingree and others to cut the ribbon on the Fox Islands Wind Project in Vinalhaven today.  Pingree, a resident of nearby North Haven Island, said the wind turbines will serve as an example for the rest of the country.
 
“This project is a perfect example of what we can do across this country,” Pingree said.  “Instead of paying some of the highest electric rates in the country to buy power generated in part by oil we’ve had to import from overseas, our communities will produce their own electricity right here at home.  It’s a home-grown solution to our energy needs.”
 
The Fox Islands Wind Project is a community-based wind development that will provide residents of North Haven and Vinalhaven Islands with clean, renewable energy from three 1.5-megawatt turbines.  The turbines are nearly 400 feet tall and the project is the largest community-based wind project on the East Coast.
 
Pingree said the story behind the Fox Islands Wind Project is one she will share with others in Congress.
 
“I will be proud to tell my colleagues in Congress that my community has found a way to produce our own clean, renewable power and become truly energy independent,” she said.
 
The elected officials were joined by representatives from the Norwegian company Statoil Hydro, who are in Maine to study the possibility of partnering with the University of Maine to develop deepwater offshore wind power.  Pingree said the company could bring expertise and experience in offshore wind technology to Maine.
 
“They’ve been working on deepwater offshore wind for years,” Pingree said.  “Maine is a perfect spot for them to continue that research and development.  We’ve got the wind resources and we’ve got the infrastructure.  And as I said to the Statoil Hydro officials last night, our coast is pretty similar to theirs in many ways.”