BANGOR DAILY NEWS • October 22, 2024
The federal government turned down Maine’s request for a $456 million grant that would cover most of the cost of building an offshore wind port on Sears Island, officials confirmed Tuesday. Following protests from environmentalists, tribes and Republicans, the state picked Sears Island over nearby Mack Point earlier this year for the staging area of the offshore wind port and said the project will cost $760 million. Transportation Commissioner Bruce Van Note said Tuesday the application was not successful. It is a notable setback to a project eyed for completion in 2029, but the state is seeking another $130 million from a separate federal program to help. Federal regulators have designated 2 million acres off the Maine coast for wind development.