AUGUSTA, Maine — The Mills Administration is facing fierce opposition from conservation groups over a new bill from Gov. Janet Mills that would allow construction in coastal sand dune systems on Sears Island — the newly selected location for Maine's offshore wind port.
“It's premature and, in our view, quite irresponsible,” Scott Sales, attorney for Islesboro Island Trust, a non-profit, said Monday.
Public debate over the bill, presented on Mills’ behalf by State Rep. Gerry Runte, comes nearly a month after Mills announced Sears Island as the preferred location for the wind port, which is estimated to cost roughly $500 million.
The governor’s office argued the site is the most feasible “in terms of location, logistics, cost and environmental impact."
But some opposed to the bill, which could impact sand dune ecosystems, said February’s decision was a misstep, and that the runner-up location of Mack Point — just across from Sears Island — would cause less environmental harm to the area.
“There aren't as many ecological issues with putting the wind port there [at Mack Point],” Josh Kercsmar, who testified against the bill, said.
But to those who back the Sears Island plan, building on sand dune ecosystems is a small price to pay for a large-scale wind project that promises economic growth and renewable energy.
“Insofar as there is an impact on the sand dunes, it's definitely worth it, for what the state of Maine and the people of that area will be able to get from it,” Phillip Joseph, a union electrician who supports the legislation, said.
Rep. Runte also pointed out the small scope of the bill, which he said could be overcome by other conservation efforts related to other areas on Sears Island — which he said will be included in future amendments of the legislation.
“This [bill] just deals with a very specific limitation that currently exists,” Runte said.
The Sears Island plan will have to undergo extensive state and federal permitting before construction can begin.