MacDonald Slides 10.26.12

8/11/2019 MacDonald Slides 10.26.12

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Public Engagement on Wind:

Lessons from Coastal Maine

October 26, 2012 Suzanne MacDonald


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Overview

Organizational Background

Community Context

Case Studies

Fox Islands Wind

Offshore Wind Energy Information Exchange

Themes

Lessons Learned

NEWF Conference

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Organizational Background

Partnering with Maines year-round island and

coastal communities to help them remain vibrant

places to live and work

Technical resource, information broker, convener

NEWF Conference

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Community Context

High energy costs

Isolated, coastal areas

Interest in local control Robust wind resource

NEWF Conference

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2008 Electric Rates


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Fox Islands Wind: Overview

4.5 MW community-owned wind project 3 GE 1.5 MW sle turbines

Provides power to theFox Islands ElectricCooperative Serves the islands of

Vinalhaven and North

Haven, Maine Lowered electric rates

by 15%

NEWF Conference

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Fox Islands Wind: Engagement

Pre-construction Series of public meetings and

outreach initiatives Research guided by community

priorities

Community vote: 382-5

Post-construction Information sharing continues

Updates in bills Annual meetings

Tours

Student program: Energy for ME

NEWF Conference

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Engaged a broad range of stakeholders

Commercial fishermen, coastal residents,

regulatory agency staff, legislators, developers

Enhanced stakeholder understanding of ocean

energy and ocean use issues

Documented priority questions, concerns and

interests

NEWF Conference

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"Wind Turbines on Land,Wind Turbines at Sea" Tour NEWF Conference

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Views from the Dock

and the Deck Tour

Peer-Reviewed

Fact Sheet Series

Tours

Fact Sheets

Info Sessions Participatory

Mapping

Tuna Fisheries Map


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Themes

Value of local

partnerships

Interest in hearing

information first-hand

Importance of using

locally-relevant

information

NEWF Conference

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Lessons Learned

Invest in leaders

If possible, even before a project is proposed

Provide resources when possible (Block Island, Oakfield)

Network leaders from similar communities

Define outreach based on community priorities

Know your audience and their concerns

Design materials that are accessible and locally relevant

NEWF Conference

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Lessons Learned, contd

Provide direct connections to experts

Create opportunities for different stakeholder groups to

learn from each other, maintain communication throughout

the siting process

Experiential learning

Build understanding of issues and trust between parties

through shared experiences

NEWF Conference

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Thank You

Suzanne Pude MacDonald

Community Energy Director, Island Institute

[email protected](207) 594-9209 ext. 144

www.islandinstitute.org/energyinitiatives

www.islandinstitute.org/offshorewindenergyinformationexchange

NEWF Conference

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mailto:[email protected]://www.islandinstitute.org/energyinitiativeshttp://www.islandinstitute.org/offshorewindhttp://www.islandinstitute.org/offshorewindhttp://www.islandinstitute.org/energyinitiativeshttp://www.islandinstitute.org/energyinitiativesmailto:[email protected]

MacDonald Slides 10.26.12

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