OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY IN MAINE Maine Audubon is hosting a four-part weekly series of virtual, educational presentations focused on issues related to the development of offshore wind in the Gulf of Maine. Register for these FREE discussions below. |
| March 23 – Offshore Wind Energy and Maine: A Primer Dr. Habib Dagher View the recording here (on YouTube) |
| March 30, 11 am – Offshore Wind and Birds Wing Goodale, BRI | Dr. Roberto Albertani View the recording here (on YouTube) |
| April 6, 12:30 pm – Offshore Wind and the Environment Dr. Trevor Peterson | Dr. Sofie Van Parijs, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration View the recording here (YouTube) |
| April 13, Noon – Offshore Wind Energy in the Gulf of Maine Celena Cunningham, Deputy Director of the Governor’s Energy Office More Info/Register |
Climate change is the most significant threat to Maine’s wildlife and habitat. Impacts to wildlife and habitat due to climate change under a “business as usual” scenario—in which Mainers continue at the same levels of consumption and emission of fossil fuels—are particularly severe.
That’s why Maine Audubon supports policies that transition Maine to a clean energy economy. Advancements in solar, wind, and other renewable energy technologies mean that achieving 100% renewable energy consumption in Maine by 2050 can happen if we work collaboratively, diligently, and in the best interests of Maine’s people and wildlife alike.
| Visit our Thoughtfully Sited Solar page to learn more about solar energy and to download our Solar Siting Toolkit. |
Our Nov. 2019 report, Renewable Energy and Wildlife in Maine: Avoiding, Minimizing, and Mitigating Impacts to Wildlife and Habitat from Solar, Wind, and Transmission Facilities, describes the vulnerability of Maine’s wildlife and habitats to climate change driven by fossil fuel emissions and advocates for swiftly, but thoughtfully, replacing fossil fuels used to generate electricity with renewable energy sources.
The report describes the potential impacts to wildlife and their habitats from the siting, construction, and operations of a select portion of new renewable energy infrastructure. Specifically, it addresses onshore and offshore wind power, solar power, and transmission projects. The report also outlines policy considerations that Maine Audubon recommends Maine regulators, developers, and policy makers adopt in order to avoid, minimize, and mitigate those impacts.
- Renewable Energy and Wildlife in Maine—Executive Summary (pdf)
- Renewable Energy and Wildlife in Maine—Full Report (pdf)
Also: An interactive map allows you to explore the results of Maine Audubon’s analysis of the intersection of wildlife resources and wind resources in Maine. Find out more about wind power and wildlife.
CLIMATE SPOTLIGHT
Our Climate Spotlight series in the fall of 2020 featured some of Maine’s most innovative thinkers, businesses, and conservationists to discuss issues around climate change in Maine. Click on the titles to watch the recordings (on YouTube).
The State of Maine’s Climate
Sean Birkel, Maine State Climatologist | Stacy Knapp, Maine Dept. of Environmental Protection
Getting Involved in Community Solar
Tom Sweeney, Clean Energy Co | Allen and Elissa Armstrong & David Kuchta, community solar farm members
Is Rooftop Solar Right for You?
Phil Coupe, ReVision Energy | Chris Wasileski, Highland Green | Eliza Donoghue, Maine Audubon
Maine Forests as Natural Climate Solutions
Dr. Adam Daigneault, University of Maine | Sally Stockwell, Maine Audubon
Transportation: Maine’s Biggest Emissions Challenge
Emily Green, Conservation Law Foundation | Barry Woods, ReVision Energy
Starting at Home: Energy Efficient Buildings
Kathleen Meil, Maine Conservation Voters | Dana Fischer, Mitsubishi | Vaughan Woodruff, Insource Renewables
The Latest from the Maine Climate Council
Dr. Cassaundra Rose, Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future | Dr. Amanda Cross, Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife | Eliza Donoghue, Maine Audubon
Latest News on Climate Change and Renewable Energy
