Two separate types of multi-million dollar electric power projects proposed for Wiscasset can function simultaneously without any interference from each other because no boundaries overlap, according to Peter Arnold, Chewonki Foundation sustainability coordinator.
Therefore, Arnold advised Wiscasset selectmen Tuesday night the preliminary permit application (PPA) to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission the Chewonki Foundation is funding for the town for a tidal energy project on the Sheepscot/Back River, does not compete with the Riverbank Energy Center’s own application for an underwater pumped storage project on Point East property along the Back River.
Arnold currently serves as the project manager for the tidal project proposal.
A Nov. 4 letter to the board states just that in so many words, from Riverbank President and CEO John Douglas.
“Riverbank concurs entirely with the town’s assessment of the situation and assuming FERC takes the same view, Riverbank is pleased to inform you it does not object in any way to the town’s PPA,” Douglas said.
Furthermore, Douglas said his company does not anticipate any competing filings before FERC related to its PPA for the tidal project.
Reasons Douglas gave include avoidance of any overlap of the boundary shown in the PPA with the boundary shown in Riverbank’s PPA. It excludes the boundary showing a defined area in the vicinity of the intake location proposed by Riverbank, he said.
In addition, he said the resource the tidal energy project utilizes differs from the resource Riverbank uses.
Chewonki has offered to fund the tidal project, which makes use of tidal currents to generate electricity from about $4000 in private grant money at no cost to taxpayers. Arnold argued at a recent board meeting, the FERC gives precedence to communities over other entities, and that the PPA would give the town the right to put out requests for proposals.
Currently Natural Currents of New England, based in New Bedford, Mass., the first tidal energy company to present a proposal to the town has been in the process of filing a PPA, but Ocean Renewable Co. based in Portland also has expressed an interest in Wiscasset, having made a subsequent presentation.
Ocean Renewable Co. has been working on a pilot project in Eastport in collaboration with the University of Maine at Orono (UMO) and Maine Maritime Academy and said the same would be possible for a similar pilot in Wiscasset for future development.
Dr. Huijie Xue, UMO oceanography professor, in writing to Arnold about her appearance at the last board meeting, said, “We are excited to learn that the town of Wiscasset is looking at tidal energy as a part of future economic development for the community. Our group would be delighted to collaborate with the town and Chewonki Foundation.”
Town Manager Arthur Faucher said he and a couple of other local officials met with state Dept. of Economic Development Director John Richardson in Wiscasset on the Kronosport auto project for the town as well as the two energy projects and requests a business plan for them for possible funding.
Both companies have been talking with the DECD about the possibilities.
Local Schools Supt. Jay McIntire said he and Susan Poppish, high school principal, have been talking about the prospects for vocational involvement in the projects and internships for students.
“We see the likelihood of using it to the advantage of our students,” he said.
Wiscasset resident Anne Leslie urged the board to go forward with the application. “I feel we need to get the preliminary application so we make sure we have some say,” she said. “I see this as an opportunity for Wiscasset to latch onto.”
