My family has called the islands of
Casco Bay, Maine (2 hours northeast of Boston), and Long Island in
particular, home for hundreds of years. Long Island has a year round
population of approximately 200 hundred residents with many more in
the summer months. My three children attend the elementary school on
the island and many in my family are involved in the fishing industry
with a focus on lobster.
Island communities around the globe
share remarkably similar principles, challenges and opportunities.
Inherent in an islander is a sense of community, character and
sustainability – necessities for living in an isolated location.
However, global challenges including climate change (increasing ocean
temperatures and acidification), loss of fisheries, high energy costs
and the subsequent departure of youth are straining the viability of
many these same communities.
Despite these challenges, many island
and remote communities are blessed with an untapped resource: energy
from the ocean (tides, waves and offshore wind) and the skilled
mariners familiar with working in this harsh environment. I have been
involved in making these projects become a reality as a director for
Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC). In 2012 ORPC made history by
connecting a tidal turbine to the electric grid near Eastport, Maine,
an accomplishment that was a first for ocean energy in the Americas.
Building on ORPC’s early success we
are pursuing global opportunities to develop ocean energy projects.
Through recent discussions with Shirley Gallagher and a meeting with
delegates from Donegal County we are strengthening connections and
learning about opportunities in the area. I look forward to further
communications, both personally and professionally, and encourage you
to contact me if you have further interest related to Maine’s
island communities or ORPC.
Nathan Johnson, Ocean Renewable Power Company
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