Renewable Energy credits for offshore wind projects. This bill expands the definition of "tidal energy demonstration project" under the aws governing general permits for tidal energy demonstration projects to cover so-called tidal range projects, which extract energy from the differential head across a marine enclosure. The bill further directs the Public Utilities Commission to conduct an additional competitive solicitation of proposals for tidal energy demonstration projects and increases the allowed capacity derived from tidal energy demonstration projects to 30 megawatts and total allowed capacity contracted for by the commission to 45 megawatts. The bill also allows utilities to enter into long term contracts for deepwater offshore wind.
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=SP0110&item=1&snum=127