"Maine Gov. Janet Mills signed a law yesterday [Wednesday] to permanently bar offshore wind from state waters in a compromise with lobstermen.

The ban approved by Mills, a Democrat who supports offshore wind, is the first of its kind in the United States, where fishermen have been among the most strenuous objectors to the developing industry.

Maine fishermen produce the lion's share of lobster in the country. But Mills has argued that wind and fishing can coexist, just in more distant federal waters.

"Maine is uniquely prepared to grow a strong offshore wind industry, create good-paying trades and technology jobs around the state, and reduce our crippling dependence on harmful fossil fuels," she said in a statement yesterday."

Heather Richards reports for E&E News July 8, 2021. [2]