Offshore wind energy is urgently needed to combat the climate crisis and, therefore, Sierra Club Maine strongly supports the floating research turbine being tested off the coast of Monhegan. At the same time, Sierra Club Maine supports a vibrant, well-managed, and long-lasting fishing and lobstering industry in Maine. We adamantly believe these two groups can not only harmoniously exist, but need each other. The fact is, the gulf of Maine is one of the fastest warming bodies of water in the world and lobster cannot survive in waters 68 degrees or warmer. We need offshore wind to combat the climate crisis, to save the Gulf of Maine, and our fishing industry.
The Gulf of Maine is one of the most productive areas in the country for wind. In addition to being a necessary component of our clean energy future, offshore wind development represents a tremendous economic opportunity for Maine. Harnessing the winds of the Gulf of Maine offers diverse, dependable, and good-paying work and reliable, locally-produced clean energy for all Mainers. We will work tirelessly to ensure a just transition for workers who have been in industries dominated by fossil fuels or impacted by our clean energy economy. Additionally, this can and will be done in a collaborative manner with other offshore users, including fishermen and lobstermen.
We recognize that offshore wind will have an impact on the existing users of our shared waters, including the fishing and lobster industries that are the backbone of many coastal communities here in Maine. As a State, we must rise to this opportunity and ensure that we develop the offshore wind resource in a way that works for all the people of Maine. Proceeding with the turbine off Monhegan and the proposed research array further offshore before allowing commercial offshore wind development is a prudent step by the State. We see a future where clean energy, fishing, lobstering, and many other uses coexist in the Gulf of Maine.
As with all larger environmental projects, it is crucial that meaningful public participation be offered and that site-specific and substantial environmental concerns be addressed and remedied. Furthermore, Mainers need access to objective, factual information, especially to combat financial interests that so often dominate advertisement-based corporate campaigns that sway informed dialogue on environmental infrastructure.
The current Aqua Ventus project is soon deploying one research floating turbine, followed by a small research array up to 12 turbines. To be clear, these are very small research arrays that will provide critical information on the future of offshore wind in Maine. However, our clean energy transition requires more offshore wind (and other renewable energy sources). In the meantime, we continue to support solar and other clean energy efforts, as we need to transition immediately. The climate crisis is happening, and we need to electrify everything as quickly as possible.