On February 20, 2024, Maine Governor Janet Mills announced that the State of Maine has selected a section of state-owned Sears Island that is reserved for port development as its preferred site for a port facility to support the floating offshore wind industry. The Maine Audubon Board of Trustees has issued this statement:
Maine Audubon has been fighting to protect Maine’s wildlife and wildlife habitat for nearly two centuries, and climate change may be our most difficult battle yet. The impacts are being measured in every corner of Maine, affecting our wildlife, our habitats, and our lives.
Generations of Mainers to come will judge our response in this moment, and we must act decisively. Floating offshore wind presents our state with an opportunity we cannot afford to pass up on: producing vast amounts of clean energy locally, and, as our wildlife biologists can attest, with fewer environmental impacts than other sources of energy.
A deepwater port is necessary for facilitating the production of offshore wind in the Gulf. Maine Audubon was proud to be appointed to the state’s Offshore Wind Port Advisory Group, and to learn about the various options for a deepwater port in Maine, including the final options of Sears Island and Mack Point in Searsport.
There are benefits and drawbacks to both of these sites. We recognize that Sears Island, the Governor’s chosen “preferred” port site, holds special value for many Mainers and to many Maine Audubon members. But we expect that the environmental impacts of all available port sites will be subject to a strict alternatives analysis in connection with the required state and federal permitting processes and that there will be ample opportunities for all interested parties to weigh in on the advantages and disadvantages of different sites. This permitting process also represents the very best way to ensure that the adverse impacts to wildlife habitat and the overall environment are avoided to the maximum extent possible, minimized where not avoidable, and that mitigation and compensation are provided to offset any significant but unavoidable impacts.
Maine Audubon will continue to support the responsible development of critical infrastructure needed to appropriately respond to climate change. And we fully intend to participate in the permitting process to ensure that appropriate, protective permit conditions are included in the approvals for any port facility, no matter which site is ultimately approved.