“Maine is forging a path toward clean, renewable, home-grown energy development which will keep hard-earned dollars here at home and provide good paying jobs, all while preserving our valuable natural resources,” said Governor Baldacci. “Premier Dexter shares my commitment to work regionally to address these critical issues and I’m pleased that we are forging this partnership to explore the opportunities before us.”
The MOU was signed by the two leaders during the 34th Conference of the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers being held in Lenox, Massachusetts. The Conference focused leaders on the issue of energy security, efficiency and supporting the development of renewable energy to benefit the region.
“Nova Scotia has always enjoyed a strong economic, social and cultural partnership with Maine, and this MOU is another example of how our governments will work to grow the economy, create jobs and protect the environment,” said Premier Dexter.
Among objectives spelled out in the MOU, next year Maine and Nova Scotia will host a Tidal Energy Symposium in Nova Scotia in conjunction with the 35th Conference of the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers.
“Our close regional collaboration puts Maine in a better position to realize the promise of a stronger economy and cleaner environment,” said Governor Baldacci.
The text of the MOU follows:
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PROVINCE OF NOVA SCOTIA AND THE STATE OF MAINE ON COOPERATION REGARDING TIDAL ENERGY
The Government of the Province of Nova Scotia of Canada and the State of Maine of the United States of America, hereinafter referred to as the “Participants”, RECOGNIZING a vigorous tradition of cultural, social and economic connection between their peoples; INTENDING to secure benefits to both of their peoples through the development of mutually beneficial renewable energy technology; IDENTIFYING the Bay of Fundy and the Gulf of Maine as two of the most promising tidal energy resources on the planet; and NOTING that tidal research has been taking place in the region for 100 years Have reached the following understanding: 1. Objectives This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will have the following objectives: (i) To investigate opportunities and areas within which to cooperate on furthering off-shore wind and tidal energy technology and application; and (ii) To cooperate on tidal energy research and development to ensure the maximum contribution to our respective Renewable Portfolio Standards.
1. Economic and Social Cooperation In order to attain the objectives, the Participants will engage in initiatives such as the following: (i) Furthering the research on development issues surrounding tidal energy and offshore wind production, including research on community acceptance and support, impacts on marine life and birds, contribution to grid stability and associated matters; (ii) Bringing together tidal energy academics, researchers, policy makers and private sector developers from our two jurisdictions in Fall 2010 to share best practices and discuss regulatory frameworks and adaptive management approaches. This will coincide with the Offshore Energy Environmental Research (OEER) Association’s fall workshop to be held October 13-14, 2010; (iii) Looking toward the Tidal Energy Symposium, to be held in the Summer of 2011 and organized by Nova Scotia in conjunction with the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers (NEG-ECP), to see how we can work together to shape the region’s leadership position in this important new area of renewable energy development; (iv) Discussing the possibility of expanding this MOU within the region to include other provinces and states; and (v) Timely exchange of information to support the achievement of the objectives.
2. Organization (i) In order to meet the objectives of this MOU, the Participants will establish a Council at the ministerial level ("the Council"), comprising the Governor’s designee for the State of Maine and the Minister of Energy for Nova Scotia. The Council will communicate annually or as the Participants decide. (ii) The Participants may consult, in accordance with their internal mechanisms, their respective private and public sectors concerning matters related to the work of the Council. (iii)Participants may also consult entities outside of their immediate jurisdictions concerning matters related to the work of the Council.
3. Work Program The Council members will, after consulting colleagues and private sector partners from each of their respective jurisdictions, jointly prepare and implement a Work Program to initiate the implementation tasks for this MOU and will place it for consideration before the Council for its approval. New initiatives, frameworks or other mechanisms intended to achieve the objectives of this MOU may be established with the mutual consent of all Participants. Final Dispositions (i) This MOU will come into effect upon signature and, unless terminated by consensus or upon written notice by a Participant, will remain in effect through December, 2011.
(ii) The Participants may renew this MOU upon their mutual written consent.
(iii) This MOU may be amended by the written consent of all Participants.
(iv) This MOU is not intended to create legal obligations under federal, state, provincial or international law.
