In reading Tux Turkel’s Nov. 22 article, “Statoil’s wind farm will float in Scotland,” one is given the impression that Gov. LePage is the reason why the economics of locating a wind farm off Scotland were more attractive than off of Maine.

While the governor is an attractive target, please consider some other factors. Statoil is an oil company, not a wind company.

Scotland and Norway both have oil and an established offshore infrastructure and supply chain. Maine does not. Aberdeen, Scotland’s “oil city,” is only a short distance across the North Sea from Norway. Supplies from Norway or other European ports could easily reach the site. Maine is across the entire Atlantic.

Please consider Statoil’s decision to make an investment closer to home a smart choice. Perhaps one day Maine will be in a better position to host this project or something similar and will have the added benefit of having taken notes on how things went over in Scotland.

A few questions remain about letting a large multinational oil company start a non-core business activity project in Maine:

Is Statoil really interested in bringing wind to Maine? Once they’re here, they will look for oil. This just might be their admission fee to the party. Oil companies constantly try to improve their positions in terms of proven and recoverable reserves. While Maine has untapped wind resources, the potential for what’s under the ground is interesting, too. Is there oil under the Gulf of Maine? Who will be at the forefront? When will it be?

While the megawatt figures used illustrate the number of homes that can be powered, is that what actually is being powered? Will the electricity generated offshore of Scotland power the shore-based grid, subsea pipelines, aquaculture or offshore oil production platforms?

Jesse McIntire

Portland

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