The Town of Wiscasset, Maine  and Chewonki Foundation recently announced that the Federal Energy Regulation Commission (FERC) has issued a preliminary permit to study the use of tidal currents in the Sheepscot River for electrical generation. If approved, the proposed current power project would be comprised of 4 to 40 turbines with a total peak generating capacity of between 1 and 10 megawatts.

The preliminary permit will allow for data collection to determine the total annual production of electricity. The permit application was submitted to FERC on November 12, 2008. The town has three years to submit a full license application.

In order for the river generated power to be distributed to consumer there will need to be additional electrical infrastructure installed comprised of about six miles of underwater transmission cable,a 1,000-foot transmission line and building housings for equipment.
In a May 28 letter to the Town of Wiscasset, FERC noted that it is authorized to issue preliminary permits for the purpose of enabling prospective applicants to secure the data needed for a full license application. The preliminary permit also preserves the right of the permit holder to have first rights in applying for a license for the project. Preliminary permits grant no land-disturbing rights and do not authorize the undertaking of construction.
The purpose of a preliminary permit is to study the feasibility of the project, including studying potential impacts, according to FERC. The permit includes conditions to closely monitor the progress of the project’s activities. A schedule of activities and target dates for completion must be filed within 45 days of the permit. Six-month progress reports are also required. If these reports do not show significant progress, or if the permittee fails to comply with any other conditions, the permit may be cancelled.

The Town of Wiscasset has received assistance on this project from the University of Maine and Maine Maritime Academy. Another, unrelated, power generation project is also being proposed in the Town of Wiscasset, by Canadian-owned Riverbank Corporation.

About the Chewonki Foundation

TheChewonki Foundation is dedicated to helping people grow individually and in community with others by providing educational experiences that foster an understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of the natural world and that emphasize the power of focused, collective effort. To visit them click here

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