FROM THE CROWE’S NEST

The Cost Of Energy?

A federal mandate has sent Maine and other states to find ways to develop wind energy resources. Practically any option to the use of oil and coal is potentially a good idea at this point in human history. If the inevitable endless oil wars don’t get us, the climate change crap shoot will.

Being faced with a fairly desperate need for change, however, should not be what leads us to bad choices and more lousy outcomes.

Federal boosts will at least get alternative energy projects off the drawing board.Venture capital could get the proposed offshore energy project built.

Right now there is a December 15, 2009 deadline for selecting test sites. There is a 3-year deadline to complete research at those sites. There is no deadline for construction of the offshore generators, since there is not yet venture capital committed.

While the initiation of the project ought not to be bogged down
with questions at the outset, there are questions. This project will change the Gulf of Maine we have always had it. As the keepers of the commons as we all are, knowing what those changes are and whether we want them, is something to consider before it is cast in concrete, steel, and contract law.

In particular, there are questions on the minds of fishermen who fish where these wind energy facilities may be located.

The state’s Ocean Energy Task Force has referred to large numbers of windmills offshore. How much bottom will be off limits to fishing due to gear interference or wind energy facility security?

The test sites are in Maine waters, but the commercial windmills will be in federal waters. How much of the electricity generated will go to Maine? Will there be limits to exploiting what is being described as one the world’s greatest offshore wind resources? Will energy conservation plans be included in this project that it is being built on public property or will we continue to ramp up energy waste?

In the rush make change, too little reality may bog down credible outcomes in the end. Before starting what may be aWall Street energy derby in the Gulf of Maine, maybe we should look at where this race is going and why.