Overcoming funding obstacles to island wind power projects in New England: The case of Monhegan, Maine

The 21st century has increasingly seen the primacy of fossil fuel use in electricity generation challenged by renewable sources such as wind power. Coastal New England, particularly its islands, is one area that holds particular promise for wind power development due to a strong wind resource and the important social implications that can result from reduced energy costs. This study seeks to elucidate how the community wind approach can create many benefits in this setting but how a number of challenges -- particularly in terms of access to capital -- must be confronted. It provides an overview of the federal and state-level incentives that have been developed to promote wind power, evaluates them for their applicability to New England island projects and highlights how creativity must be used in order to acquire the necessary funds. A case study of Monhegan, Maine is presented and recommendations for policymakers are offered.