Maine Senate approves legislation to allow Sears Island offshore wind terminal [Video]

The Maine Senate on Monday night approved legislation providing a carve-out in environmental regulations that would allow construction of an offshore wind terminal on Sears Island.

The Senate voted 21-13 on the measure, which pits two competing environmental issues: protecting a sand dune system on Sears Island and advancing Maine’s drive to harness wind from the Atlantic Ocean and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The House of Representatives rejected the measure last week and will now reconsider the Senate version that would exempt the sand dunes from environmental protection. The Mills administration and other supporters of the wind port must persuade some of the 80 lawmakers who voted no to switch sides. The bill was backed by 65 House members.

Environmentalists say the dunes protect buildings and infrastructure from waves and flooding while providing habitat for migratory shore birds and endangered and threatened species.

Advocates say the legislation affects a manmade sand dune system on four-tenths of an acre on …