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Commercial Fisheries News
Volume 36 Number 3
November 2009
Repowers begin under ME program; new applications still accepted
STONINGTON, ME – Federal stimulus money began making its way into Maine fishing communities this fall through the Maine Clean Marine Engine Program.
On Sept. 24, the state’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) formally kicked off the program at Billings Diesel & Marine Service Inc., the Stonington boatyard where the first repower job was getting underway on Jason Witham’s 40' lobster boat Siren.
The program has over $1.2 million to cover 50% of the cost of diesel engine purchases on qualifying marine vessels. The goal is to reduce harmful emissions from older diesel engines, help the state meet clean air standards, and assist in sustaining employment in marine trade industries during economic hard times.
“This program will impact engine dealers and boatyards, especially the small businesses,” Lynne Cayting of DEP’s Bureau of Air Quality told those assembled at Billings. “One dealer told me he had not sold a new engine in almost two years and that this program gave him something to look forward to this winter.”
For his part, Greg Sanborn, Billings’ service manager, said that while he’d rather there be no need for such a program, he appreciated Cayting’s effort to direct some of the federal stimulus funds being channeled into the state toward marine-related businesses.
“It’s providing work we may not have gotten,” Sanborn said. “Having these jobs is a plus. She’s really done a good job.”
Billings employs about 50 people, he added.
Approved so far
As of late September, the DEP had approved 40 applicants for the Maine Clean Marine Engine Program: 30 lobster boats; four fishing vessels; a schooner; an Eastport aquaculture boat; three island ferries; and the Maine Sea Coast Mission vessel Sunbeam.
However, the list of vessels qualifying for the program was continuing to change in mid-October as some approved applicants decided not to go forward with the repowers and a few turned out not to be eligible.
Cayting also said she was once again accepting applications for the program on the hope that DEP’s application to the federal Environmental Protection Agency for additional non-stimulus funding will be approved.
“If folks applied last spring, they do not need to resubmit applications,” she said on Oct. 20. “The deadline for new applicants is Nov. 15.”
More information on the program, including applications and an updated list of vessels approved to date, is available on the DEP web site at <www.maine.gov/dep/recovery/der>.
For more info, call Lynne Cayting at (207) 287-7599.
Lorelei Stevens
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