PORTLAND, Maine (AP) -- The Department of Energy has awarded $4 million to the University of Maine to develop offshore floating wind turbines along the Maine coast. A U.S. subsidiary of a Norwegian oil and gas company also received an award to deploy four floating wind turbines in the Gulf of Maine.
The grants could qualify Maine for millions more in federal funding. Rep. Mike Michaud said the money will help to "advance an industry that will create jobs and make us more energy independent."
Pingree said 70 organizations applied for grants from the Advanced Technology Demonstration Program grant program. UMaine was one of only seven to be selected.
UMaine aims to deploy two, six-megawatt floating turbines beginning in 2015. Statoil North America Inc. also aims to put four turbines in the ocean.
