STATE OF MAINE 
PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION


						
      JACK CASHMAN                           		 		                                                	   		VENDEAN V. VAFIADES
              CHAIRMAN                                                                                                                                                   					        COMMISSIONER 
          

July 28, 2010Jake Ward
Assistant Vice President of Research 
Economic Development and Governmental Relations

5717 Corbett Hall, Room 430Orono, ME 04469-5717

Re:  	


Maine Public Utilities Commission’s Solicitation for Long-Term Contracts from Deep-Water Offshore Wind Energy Pilot Projects or Tidal Energy Demonstration Projects,  

Docket No. 2010-235



Dear Mr. Ward:

	
During its 2010 session, Maine’s Legislature enacted An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Governor’s Ocean Energy Task Force (Act).  P.L. 2009, ch. 615.  Section A-6 of the Act directs the Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC), in accordance with the Maine Revised Statutes, Title35-A, section 3210-C, to conduct a competitive solicitation for proposals for long-term contracts to supply installed capacity and associated renewable energy and renewable energy credits from one or more deep-water offshore wind energy pilot projects or tidal energy demonstration projects.  

The Act requires the Commission to initiate the solicitation by September 1, 2010.
	The Act specifies that the MPUC consult with the University of Maine, Department of Industrial Cooperation, Office of Research and Economic Development in developing the request for proposals (RFP) that will be used in the required solicitation.  The MPUC is in the process of developing the RFP.  

Accordingly, we are writing to ask the University to provide the MPUC with any suggestions or guidance with respect to the RFP or any specific information (technical, financial or operational) that the RFP should seek from bidders.  Moreover, we request that the University provide the MPUC with the names and contact information of entities that might be interested in receiving the RFP.  

The MPUC requests that any comments or information be provided to the MPUC in writing by August 20, 2010.  
The MPUC appreciates any assistance that the University might be able to provide in the solicitation of qualifying projects.  Please contact me if you would like to discuss this matter.

						

Sincerely,


						
Mitchell M. Tannenbaum
						
Deputy General Counsel
								uly 28, 2010

LOCATION:  101 Second Street, Hallowell, ME 04347				MAIL:  18 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0018
          
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