This well-known quote from the Stother Martin “Captain” character in the iconic movie Cool Hand Luke applies perfectly to the Maine Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) approach to their plans to develop Sears Island instead of Mack Point for an offshore wind manufacturing facility. As a member of the Offshore Wind Port Advisory Group (OSWPAG), I participated in what seemed like a pretend-stakeholder discussion of offshore wind facility options. But, when the last OSWPAG rolled around in June 2023, MDOT told us we’d receive their Alternative Analysis as soon as it was available. Today, October 11, I learned indirectly that just such an Alternatives Analysis could be found here (https://www.maine.gov/mdot/projects/searsport/windport/), Later I learned that MDOT posted this extensive document, encompassing hundreds of pages with attachments, a week ago. MDOT is not know for its transparency in even the best of times. But for a MDOT spokesperson to claim that posting this material would not likely be of interest to the public and was therefore not made known to media or the public, elevates hypocrisy to a whole new level. Thousands of people have expressed interest in this matter, many describing very real concerns. Media across Maine and some national media reported on aspects of the Mack Point versus Sears Island siting issue. Shame on MDOT if that public interest isn’t overwhelming apparent to them! Over the course of the next several weeks and months we’ll share observations and commentary on this material. However, we urge all of you to take a look for yourselves. We suggest starting with the Pre-Application Alternatives Analysis document itself, found here (https://www.maine.gov/mdot/projects/searsport/windport/docs/Maine%20OSWP_Pre-Application%20Alternative%20Analysis_Draft-October%202024.pdf). Steve Miller |
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“What we have here is a failure to communicate.”
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Alliance for Sears Island 