"The University of Maine cancelled its annual summit on floating offshore wind power as federal support for renewable energy wanes, Maine Public reported. The university decided against holding the American Floating Offshore Wind Technical Summit, or AFLOAT, "in recognition of changing federal policies and priorities," university spokesperson Samantha Warren said in a statement. The university's Advanced Structures and Composites Center has hosted the summit since 2020."
"The state of Maine came out with an energy plan this year that includes offshore wind as a pivotal part of meeting renewable energy goals. But the Trump administration has shown opposition to such projects-the federal government suspended a $12.5 million grant to the University of Maine's floating offshore wind power program this spring. The university nonetheless moved forward with the grant project, launching an experimental floating wind turbine a month later."
"The university has no plans at this time to revive AFLOAT in the future, Warren told Maine Public. But the university plans to hold private meetings with relevant parties, like industry, research and government leaders, "given growing interest in commercializing its cutting-edge technology, which has promising applications that advance the nation's economy and security well beyond ocean energy.""
University of Maine cancelled the American Floating Offshore Wind Technical Summit (AFLOAT) citing changing federal policies and priorities. The Advanced Structures and Composites Center hosted AFLOAT since 2020. Maine's state energy plan designates offshore wind as pivotal to renewable goals, but the Trump administration suspended a $12.5 million grant for the university's floating offshore wind program this spring. The university proceeded with the grant project and launched an experimental floating wind turbine a month later. The university has no plans to revive AFLOAT now but will hold private meetings with industry, research and government leaders to pursue commercialization. The technology could advance the nation's economy and security beyond ocean energy.
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