U.S. Senator Susan Collins today announced that the Economic Development Administration (EDA) at the U.S. Department of Commerce has awarded a $3 million grant to the Advanced Engineering and Wood Composites Center at the University of Maine. This funding will be used to purchase equipment for UMaine's new deepwater, offshore wind laboratory.
"I fully support the University of Maine's efforts to develop deepwater, offshore wind technology," said Senator Collins. "This funding will help provide the laboratory with the resources it needs to continue developing and testing new technology that will help diversify America's energy supply, reduce our reliance on foreign oil, and spur the creation of thousands of badly needed new jobs in Maine." Senator Collins sent a letter to the EDA in October 2010 supporting the University's request. Specifically, this funding will be used to purchase equipment for a polymer lab to integrate new nanocellulose fibers-some of which are being developed at UMaine and are derived from renewable, inexpensive forest resources-into composites; structural testing for large-scale components; and pilot manufacturing of large-scale components. On August 18, Senator Collins brought Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to Orono to tour the new, deepwater, offshore wind laboratory and to learn more about the University's plans. In addition, Senator Collins brought Energy Secretary Steven Chu to the facility last year. Since that visit, the U.S. Department of Energy has announced its intention to support efforts to develop and test the technologies being advanced at UMaine. "Maine is well-positioned for a successful test drive. With some of the strongest and most consistent winds in the nation off our coast, and with some of the most dedicated and knowledgeable researchers in the world, Maine has the potential to be the global leader in deepwater wind energy," continued Senator Collins.Background: The United States has nearly 2,500 gigawatts of offshore wind potential within 50 nautical miles of shore, but more than half of this resource is in waters deeper than 200 feet. Unlocking this vast resource requires the development of new turbines and platforms that can stand up to this difficult environment.
The development of this resource would attract an estimated $20 billion in investment to our state and create more than 15,000 good-paying green jobs. The funding announced today is provided through EDA's Global Climate Change Mitigation Incentive Fund (GCCMIF) which is intended to foster the green economy by promoting economic competitiveness while enhancing environmental quality.