Energy News Roundup: October 2-October 8

This week in regional energy news …

• The University of Maine’s Tidal Power Initiative is the recipient of a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.  The money will help to fund an environmental impact study relating to Ocean Renewable Power Co.’s Eastport, Maine, tidal turbine.
• A Newfoundland paper company may begin burning tires to fuel its mill.  Tire burning is an inexpensive source of fuel but is controversial due to its effects on the environment; Nova Scotia blocked the practice in 2007.
• The Biomass Thermal Energy Council, or BTEC, is encouraging legislators to develop incentives to promote increased use of biomass for heating fuel.  BTEC argues that biomass, a renewable energy source that can render very low emissions, should meet 25% of heating needs in the Northeast by 2025.
• First Wind, which is working toward permitting a Rumford-area wind development, has opened a Rumford, Maine, office.  First Wind has also filed an environmental impact statement for a new wind project in Hawaii.
• Interior Secretary Ken Salazar marked a milestone for Cape Wind by finally signing the project’s federal lease for commercial offshore wind energy generation.  Cape Wind awaits approval from the Massachusetts DPU.