Wind, Water & Wood - Powering Maine into the Future

Wind, water and wood have powered Maine’s economy since before our nation’s founding with Maine rivers unlocking Maine’s forests to Maine ports, famous for shipbuilding, bringing Maine products and yankee ingenuity across the globe. As we joyously celebrate America’s 250th birthday, these heritage industries continue to evolve and innovate to power Maine’s and America’s economy into the future. 

We know now is not the time to rest on our laurels, but to swing big. The University of Maine and Maine Technology Institute are supporting research and entrepreneurs to make biofuels from forestry waste launch rockets into space, turn nanocellulose wood fiber into energy-efficient green building materials and replace toxic plastic products, design and test offshore floating wind turbine platforms to unlock the Saudi Arabia of wind in the Gulf of Maine. For centuries, hydropower has been powering Maine mills and now Maine companies like Cianbro are looking to build pumped hydropower storage in Western Maine to improve grid resilience. Efficiency Maine’s heat pump program is a model for the nation and the Maine Public Utilities Commission is taking a regional leadership role to connect 1,200 MW of new renewable generation, primarily onshore wind, in Aroostook County. This inaugural year of Maine Clean Energy Week (Sept. 14-18th), E2Tech is proud to partner with the Northeast Renewable Energy Coalition to highlight the people and projects innovating and energizing our economy.

No patriot would be satisfied letting the energy and technologies of tomorrow be imagined and built in some other country. Maine’s Dirigo motto means I lead, and we must continue to do so. Mainers have always played pivotal roles in American history - from the people of Machias sparking the first naval battle of the American Revolution to Joshua Chamberlain at Gettysburg, Hannibal Hamlin's work to abolish slavery, Ed Muskie’s leadership in the environmental revolution, and countless unsung heroes. An energy revolution is happening now. American greatness in this new century will depend on the courage, determination and leadership of Mainers who dare to dream of a brighter future and aren’t afraid to fight for it.