Weekly Intelligence Brief

Eastport US Coast Guard Station’s renewable energy potential highlighted

8 December 2009

Northern New England Commander Capt. Jim McPherson has reportedly stated that tidal energy, solar power and the future installation of a wind turbine will make the Eastport US Coast Guard Station one of the “greenest” in the nation.

According to a report filed by The Bangor Daily News, Capt. McPherson was explaining the projects to US Sen. Susan Collins and Adm. Thad Allen, commandant of the US Coast Guard. He added that the tidal power project is the first to be used by the Coast Guard but one of several already under way and testing on both sides of the border Down East.

Earlier this year, referring to the Coast Guard Station Eastport, Capt. McPherson had mentioned that the greatest challenge is to deal with the sheer force of the water brought in by the 22-foot tides and 6-knots of current that flow through the deep channels of the St Croix River. The Old Sow, a geological feature near Eastport, is home to the largest tidal whirlpool in North America. The combination of extreme tides and bathymetry cause a unique vortex that can create a 10-foot depression on the water’s surface as millions of gallons of water rush past Eastport.

“For the Coast Guard, these environmental challenges illicit only one response -- if you cannot change it, use it. Why not harness the immense and predictable power of the tides to power the Coast Guard Station?”  wrote Capt. McPherson in a column.

Read more:

Eastport US Coast Guard: http://social.tidaltoday.com/search/node/Eastport+US+Coast+Guard