Tidal power plan wins state funding (ME)

[jpak]

http://www.bangordailynews.com/news/t/downeast.aspx?articleid=146627&zoneid=177

A Florida company that hopes to develop power from tidal energy in Cobscook Bay has received a $300,000 development award from the Maine Technology Institute.

Ocean Renewable Power Co. officials said Tuesday they will use the money for the detailed engineering of a prototype project, testing and eventual installation of a full-scale commercial project.

"Maine has tremendous indigenous tidal resources, and the state has the leadership and foresight to understand the importance of ocean renewable technologies," Chris Sauer, president and CEO of ORPC-Maine, said in a press release. "We want to set the example by delivering the best possible tidal projects in North America."

The company wants to tap into the energy of the ocean to create "emission-free electricity," in the waters near Eastport.

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[freefall]

1. Give myself another pat on the back for moving to Maine. We also

have a bottle bill and no billboards. And although we suffer with two so-called moderate Republican senators both of our reps are relatively progressive Dems and we have a Democratic state legislature (although just barely in the case of the state senate). We will be working hard to increase our majority in the state senate and get rid of one of those "moderates" in the 2008 election. Did I mention that our governor is also a Democrat and is pushing for initiatives such as the tidal power one mentioned in the OP. We have also become part of a Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative which includes 10 northeastern states. Go MAINE!!!

Peace,

freefall