January 24, 2025

One year later, Island Institute still helping lead storm recovery

Walking along the fishermen's co-op dock, Sam Belknap says it is a model for what the Maine coast must do to build resilience in the face of climate change. "This is the type of investment all wharves need to be making," he explained. Belknap is director of coastal economy for the Island Institute of Rockland, a nonprofit organization that has been helping coastal areas with economic and community development for the past 40 years.
News Center Maine
November 26, 2024

The US’s Easternmost City Could Be a Model for the Country’s Renewable Future

Tidal power and solar would fuel a community microgrid protecting the island of Eastport, Maine, from outages.
In 2021, the city of Eastport, with support from Island Institute, was awarded an Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project grant from the Department of Energy with , which funded work to develop localized energy generation and storage. Now, a community-driven initiative is developing solar and tidal power to feed a microgrid. It would allow the island community to weather hours of outages, detached from the main electrical grid without the high costs and carbon footprint of diesel. The grant launched the feasibility studies and produced the plans for the transition that Eastport is in the middle of building out.
Inside Climate News
October 31, 2024

Working waterfronts discuss storm recovery progress with legislators

Nine months after damaging storms in January heavily impacted Maine's coastal communities, recovery is still top of mind. The issue is being put back at the forefront for state legislators. In Bremen on Tuesday, Island Institute hosted a roundtable between leaders from Maine's working waterfronts, Sen. Angus King, and Rep. Chellie Pingree.
Maine Public
September 23, 2024

5 Maine communities selected for federal energy transitions initiative

Five Maine communities have been selected for a federal program designed to support energy transitions in rural coastal and island communities. Brooklin, Chebeague Island, Cranberry Isles, Passamaquoddy Tribe at the Pleasant Point Reservation and Washington County will get technical and planning assistance to make their energy systems more resilient.
Maine Public
September 23, 2024

Island Institute gets $1.4M for program to aid Maine's lobstering industry

The Island Institute in Rockland has received $1.4 million to support Maine's lobstering industry through a new initiative. The funding comes from the Small Business Administration as congressionally-directed funding and was championed by U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King...
News Center Maine
August 29, 2024

Island Institute marks 25 Years of Fellows Program

Published by National Fisherman on August 27, 2024.  Island Institute proudly celebrated the 25th anniversary of its Fellows Program on August 8th at the Rockport Opera House. The event brought…
MaineBiz
August 29, 2024

Electrifying the fleet: Biddeford company takes aim at converting commercial vessels to electric

Published by MaineBiz on May 27, 2024.  Maine Electric Boat has installed more than a dozen electric propulsion systems on sailboats and powerboats since the company was formed five years…
MaineBiz
August 22, 2024

Coffee with the Casco Baykeeper and Island Institute

Featuring Island Institute's Susie Arnold & Nick Battista
Scientists and working groups weigh in on all aspects of climate change, from heat waves to soaring pollen counts to sea level rise, to help the Maine Climate Council set new goals for the second installment of Maine Won't Wait, the state's climate action plan.
By Casco Baykeeper
August 22, 2024

Maine Broadband Access Part 1: History and Infrastructure

Featuring Island Institute's Nick Battista
Scientists and working groups weigh in on all aspects of climate change, from heat waves to soaring pollen counts to sea level rise, to help the Maine Climate Council set new goals for the second installment of Maine Won't Wait, the state's climate action plan.
By UMaine's Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center
August 21, 2024

Tales from the Sea Podcast - Working Waterfront

Featuring Island Institute's Sam Belknap
Scientists and working groups weigh in on all aspects of climate change, from heat waves to soaring pollen counts to sea level rise, to help the Maine Climate Council set new goals for the second installment of Maine Won't Wait, the state's climate action plan.
By Mark Winkworth