Fort Halifax Dam (removal) a victim of economics: Cons outweighed pros (Maine)

[jpak]

http://kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com/view/columns/5317332.html

The removal of the Fort Halifax Dam in Winslow has stirred passions and led to many questions regarding the interplay between state energy and fisheries policies and the regulatory role of the Department of Environmental Protection. I want to address these questions from my perspective of 25 years regulating dams and hydropower in Maine.

Maine was built on water power. Since colonial times, dams have provided direct mechanical power for everything from small sawmills and gristmills to gigantic textile and paper mills.

With the dawn of the 20th century came electricity and major new hydroelectric dams, with many existing dams being converted to generate this new form of energy, and with many more dams being abandoned as uneconomic.

Today, total installed hydroelectric power generation capacity using Maine's lakes, rivers and streams exceeds 760 megawatts, more than all other renewable sources in Maine (including wind, solar, biomass and waste incineration) combined.

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