Dive Brief:

• The Maine Public Utilities Commission approved a power purchase agreement (PPA) for a 12-MW offshore wind pilot project.
• The project developers will build the wind project in 2016 if they win a $46 million federal grant.
• Regulators approved a similar PPA for a 12-MW offshore wind project proposed by Statoil, but the developer dropped the project last year when the Maine Legislature reopened the offshore wind bidding process.

Dive Insight:

Maine appears to have significant potential for offshore wind, but the state has been sending out mixed signals. Statoil, a major Norwegian energy company, was prepared to move ahead with its project, bringing jobs and experience to the state. But Republican Governor Paul LePage managed to reopen the bidding process, creating too much uncertainty for Statoil's liking. The new project hinges on a federal grant, which is expected to be announced this spring. If other states along the Atlantic move ahead with plans for offshore wind, Maine, which had a jump in the field, may be left behind.