© 2024 Maine Public | Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 22-3171529
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Scroll down to see all available streams.

Paul LePage opposes wind-energy farm that would be sited about 30 miles off Maine coast

In this Aug. 15, 2016, file photo, wind turbines from the Deepwater Wind project stand in the sea off Block Island.
Michael Dwyer
/
AP file
In this Aug. 15, 2016, file photo, wind turbines from the Deepwater Wind project stand in the sea off Block Island.

Former Gov. Paul LePage says if reelected in November, he would not proceed with Gov. Janet Mills' application to the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to site a wind-energy farm about 30 miles off Maine's coast.

"My minimum is 40 miles out. If you're out 40 miles or 50 miles I'll be all supportive. In the fishing waters I will not support windmills," he says.

LePage spoke at an event in Windham, where his candidacy was endorsed by Associated Builders and Contractors.

He also says he would oppose a new bulk transmission line the Legislature this year mandated for construction in northern Maine.

State regulators are seeking bids for that project, which would aim to encourage development of renewable energy resources in Aroostook County.

LePage, like incumbent Mills, is a supporter of the controversial western Maine transmission line initiated by Central Maine Power. A state Supreme Court decision on whether that project can proceed is pending.

Corrected: June 28, 2022 at 6:47 PM EDT
Paul LePage's endorsement came from Associated Builders and Contractors, not Associated General Contractors of Maine.
A Columbia University graduate, Fred began his journalism career as a print reporter in Vermont, then came to Maine Public in 2001 as its political reporter, as well as serving as a host for a variety of Maine Public Radio and Maine Public Television programs. Fred later went on to become news director for New England Public Radio in Western Massachusetts and worked as a freelancer for National Public Radio and a number of regional public radio stations, including WBUR in Boston and NHPR in New Hampshire.