New England Aqua Ventus (NEAV: https://newenglandaquaventus.com) is a partnership between Diamond Offshore Wind (Mitsubishi: https://www.dowind.com) and RWE (an international energy supply company: https://www.rwe.com/en/the-group/profile-and-strategy) to test an experimental platform for offshore wind turbines developed by the University of Maine. If this project moves forward, NEAV’s experimental floating offshore wind turbine would be deployed off Monhegan and the cable would come ashore at Bigelow Laboratory’s campus in East Boothbay. The construction path for the cable on land has not yet been set. It’s proposed to run along Route 96 to the electric substation at the corner of Route 96 and Route 27 in Boothbay Harbor. The demonstration project is in the process of obtaining the permits to move forward.

The Offshore Wind Community Benefits Group is a group of Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor residents and property owners who meet monthly. We would like to encourage those interested to attend these community-led meetings with representatives from the New England Aqua Ventus (NEAV) energy development group.

NEAV has agreed to provide a community benefits package to offset community disruption during laying of the cable. NEAV has specified that the focus of benefits package should be on public health and safety. The Offshore Wind Community Benefits Group has discussed many ideas for the benefits, including bike lanes, sidewalk and crosswalk improvements, and many other options. The group has provided updates to the select boards of Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor and has had representatives from each town participate in the meetings. Provided the project moves forward, the Community Benefits Agreement with NEAV will be between NEAV and the municipalities.

The Offshore Wind Community Benefits Group is invites residents and property owners in Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor who wish to have a say in the possible community benefit package from NEAV to join the meetings. The intention is to gather feedback from community and provide guidance to the selectmen and town managers as they formulate next steps.

The next Community Benefits group meetings will take place on Thursday, June 1 from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Boothbay Region YMCA and on Zoom. For more information or to request a zoom link or join our email distribution list, email bbycommunitybenefits@gmail.com.