Alliance Note: Islesboro Islands Trust asked college student and summer intern Lucy Harley to review Maine climate change policies and write a short piece about how those policies should inform the decision to develop an offshore wind manufacturing, assembling and launching facility in Penobscot Bay. Below is Lucy’s essay.
As climate change-driven disasters loom over the future of the Maine coastline, the need to safeguard the state’s natural resources has never been more urgent. Despite this, the State of Maine is currently planning to develop one of these untouched sites, which will destroy over one hundred acres of pristine land. This decision, which prioritizes corporate financial interests over ecological health and human wellbeing, is a stark departure from the promises made to its citizens regarding environmental health. Since the 1970s, Sears Island has been a site for development by the state, despite frequent intervention from concerned citizens and environmental activists. In 1995, the Maine Department of Transportation was held accountable for the destruction of freshwater wetlands on Sears Island, leading to a payment of over $700,000 in civil penalties and environmental mitigation. Now, 30 years later, the state of Maine is once again considering Sears Island for industrial development, this time for offshore wind turbine assembly and launching.
The alternate location proposed for this development is Mack Point, located directly across from Sears Island. As an already industrial area, using Mack Point as an assembly and launching facility does not cause the habitat destruction and widespread ecological disruption that building this facility on Sears Island will cause. During this climate crisis, renewable energy sources are necessary to combat the disastrous effects we are already observing on our state. Fossil fuels such as gas and oil are some of the biggest polluters and contributors to climate change, whereas renewable energy options such as wind and solar offer a clean alternative, becoming more and more necessary during this time of frequent climate-related disasters. The development of renewable energy sources must be thought of holistically; however, unnecessarily sacrificing over 100 acres of valuable carbon-sequestering coastal wetlands and forests while a nearby industrial area is available for use is irresponsible and violates the state’s commitments to environmental protection.
“…unnecessarily sacrificing over 100 acres of valuable carbon-sequestering coastal wetlands and forests while a nearby industrial area is available for use is irresponsible and violates the state’s commitments to environmental protection.”
While Sears Island is an iconic Maine landmark with hiking trails and beaches to explore, it notably provides valuable habitat in its forest and marine ecosystems. The forest houses 200+ species of birds, an extensive collection of mature hardwood trees, and the many critters that seek shelter within these areas. A feature of note on the Island is eelgrass beds, a paramount species within the marine ecosystem on account of the habitat it provides. While supporting these many ecosystems is an incredible feat and wildly crucial during this time of unprecedented global habitat loss and mass extinction, the less visible work of Sears Island becomes increasingly valuable as more and more carbon is pumped into our atmosphere. Eelgrass and old trees are incredibly effective carbon sinks, removing tons of carbon from our atmosphere, by naturally occurring processes. They are becoming rare in Maine as climate change-driven disruptions have significantly reduced the amount and size of eelgrass beds.
“The Offshore Wind Roadmap refers to itself as, ‘the blueprint for the State’s responsible offshore wind activities to meet climate, clean energy and economic goals while protecting the environment and existing ocean users…’ ”
In 2020, The state of Maine launched a four-year plan for climate action titled “Maine wont wait.” According to the Maine Climate Council, this plan has strategies and goals centered on reducing carbon emissions, renewable energy, and protecting natural resources. The Maine Climate Council was established by Governor Janet Mills and a team of scientists, legislators, and citizens to address climate change, the state’s role in the climate crisis, and the effects of said crisis on Maine. Each year since the initial launching of the climate plan in 2020, the council has released updates, each highlighting the importance of ecological protection, specifically regarding the significance of forests and eelgrass as valuable carbon sequestration.
“Maine’s government must be held accountable for safeguarding existing natural resources while developing other strategies to reduce carbon emissions and promote renewable energy.”
The 2023 climate report highlights the Offshore wind roadmap, which includes the standards the state of Maine must adhere to regarding offshore wind development and its potential for ecological disruption. This plan states, “The Roadmap is the blueprint for the State’s responsible offshore wind activities to meet climate, clean energy and economic goals while protecting the environment and existing ocean users,”1 thereby directly conflicting with the state’s current plan to industrialize Sears Island for offshore wind development. This same report additionally acknowledges and signifies the importance of ecological resource protection when it claims, “Protecting Maine’s natural and working lands and waters helps store carbon while supporting our fishing, farming, forestry and outdoor recreation industries and providing important co-benefits, such as clean drinking water, important wildlife habitat, and helping to moderate severe flooding events,” 2 highlighting the need for natural land protection, especially during a time where climate change related storms are increasing in both frequency and severity.
“The fight to save Sears Island illuminates the disconnect between the State of Maine’s actions and its claimed Environmental Values.”
The state also highlights the value of non-industrialized land regarding the fight against climate change on page 42 of their climate report when citing “75% of 2016 gross greenhouse gas emissions are balanced by sequestration in Maine’s environment, including forests and wood products, wetland, agriculture, urban biomass, inland and coastal waters, and soils.”3 Clearly displaying the state’s understanding of protecting forests and coastal areas. This is again emphasized by the climate council (specifically regarding eelgrass and wetland protection) and their carbon sequestration abilities when they say, “A 2023 report by the EPA estimated that Maine sequesters 22% of New England’s “blue carbon.” Most of the carbon stock is in salt marsh, though significant amounts are also found in eelgrass beds” 4 once again showing the state’s awareness of the significance of protecting undisturbed lands, especially eelgrass beds with regard to climate change and carbon sequestration. Sacrificing these valuable resources for offshore wind development completely goes against the State’s proposed Environmental protection plan, causing irreversible harm to the naturally occurring systems which combat climate change.
The fight to save Sears Island illuminates the disconnect between the State of Maine’s actions and its claimed Environmental Values. An effective response to climate change requires a holistic approach that incorporates protecting wild land, supporting the planet’s natural abilities to sequester carbon, and fostering resilient coastlines. Maine’s government must be held accountable for safeguarding existing natural resources while developing other strategies to reduce carbon emissions and promote renewable energy. Renewable energy cannot come at the cost of eliminating wild spaces.
Lucy Hartley
30 July, 2024
1 Maine Climate Council (2023). Maine Won’t Wait: A Four Year Plan for Climate Action, p.25
2 Maine Climate Council (2023), p.48
3 Maine Climate Council (2023), p.42
4 Maine Climate Council (2023), p.42
Alliance for Sears Island 