The bill would help the New England state meet Governor Janet Mills' proposed goal for a decarbonized power grid by 2040 and provide a substantial boost to nascent floating wind turbine technology required in the deep waters of the Gulf of Maine.
Maine's new bill contains standards developers must meet for compensation and requires them to prioritize hiring Maine residents, according to the text of the legislation. Once signed, the bill would require the state's Public Utilities Commission to issue its first request for contract proposals by January 2026. The Biden administration isareas for offshore wind leasing in the Gulf of Maine and has a goal of holding a wind rights auction in 2024.