The coming opportunities and challenges of offshore wind power in the Gulf of Maine will be the focus of a community talk at Portsmouth Library's Levenson Room on October 15th at 6:30 PM.
The event will feature presentations by Doug Bogen, Director of Seacoast Anti-Pollution League (SAPL), Peter Whelan, owner of Shoals Fly Fishing and member numerous fisheries organizations, and Nick Krakoff, senior attorney at the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF).
Offshore wind is getting increasing attention as a potential major new energy source throughout U.S. coastal areas, but New England has been at the forefront of this development and the Gulf of Maine is the latest focus of these efforts. The leases currently put out for bid by the federal Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management (BOEM) for offshore wind projects in the Gulf of Maine, along with already approved leases for a 12 turbine research array off mid-coast Maine as well as several projects south of Cape Cod, have the potential to dramatically expand the region's renewable energy supply. Compared to New England's current electricity demand, the energy that offshore wind could generate has the potential to meet almost all that need.
We urge anyone who's concerned about our region's energy future and who wants to get beneath the propaganda of the 'business as usual' crowd to attend this community event.
The Community Talk presentation is FREE and requires no pre-registration. For further questions, please contact Doug Bogen at dbogen@metrocast.net or call the SAPL office at 603-431-5089. For more information on SAPL, visit their website at www.saplnh.org.
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It is sponsored by SAPL, with co-sponsorship from Portsmouth Democratic Outreach Committee and 350 New Hampshire.
About the Speakers:
SAPL's Doug Bogen has long advocated for offshore wind as a key sustainable alternative to existing energy resources on the New England power grid, and he will present an overview of
recent developments in the Gulf of Maine. “With offshore wind, we have a huge opportunity to achieve energy independence and sustainability for our region, as well as to contribute significantly to forestalling the worst of the climate crisis threatening our collective future.”
Nick Krakoff will explain CLF’s efforts to ensure that offshore wind is conducted responsibly, as well as its efforts to bring attention to the disinformation campaign by fossil fuel interests to label and condemn offshore wind as bad for the environment and the marine ecology. “When offshore wind is developed in the right way and in the right places, it can oust dirty, polluting fossil fuel from New England. But, the fossil fuel industry does not want to give up its hold on the energy sector without a fight. They’re pushing against offshore wind by twisting facts and spewing disinformation—often in the guise of local “grassroots” groups.”
Capt. Peter Whelan has been an advocate for sustainable fisheries along with Offshore Wind. He will discuss the relationship and process between Offshore Wind and commercial and recreational fishing interests, and efforts so they can co-exist. Peter will also discuss sustainable energy solutions and climate change in fisheries management.