The Maine Public Utilities Commission has reopened the bidding process for an offshore wind pilot project contract, giving a University of Maine project the opportunity to compete for a deal already awarded to a private company.
The Associated Press reported the PUC released its request for proposals Tuesday with a deadline of Sept. 1 for submissions. The reopening of bids is the result of a bill Gov. Paul LePage pushed for near the end of the last legislative session, LD 1472.
Norwegian energy company Statoil says it will delay work on its wind power pilot project as a result of the reopened bidding process. The company previously secured approval of a term sheet with the PUC that outlines a long-term power purchasing agreement for that pilot project. Statoil and the UMaine project are competing for federal grants.
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