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The Nacogdoches biomass plant will provide electricity to Austin Energy via a 20-year power purchase agreement. The $500 million, 165-acre plant is powered by commercially unusable wood waste from saw mills and other wood mills, forest waste, pre-commercial thinnings of cultivated trees and diseased and other non-commercial tree species, and possibly other sources such as limbs and branches knocked down by storms.

According to an article in Sustainable Business.com, Southern says the plant uses the most advanced technology available, including a bubbling fluidized-bed boiler that gives both the capability of using a broad variety of biomass while ensuring low emissions.

The ORPC Cobscook Bay tidal energy project, supported in part with a $10 million investment from DOE, will be deployed this summer. The pilot project will initially provide power for between 75 and homes, although ORPC plans to expand it to provide electricity for more than 1,000 Maine homes and businesses.

While tidal energy is in relatively early stages of development, many consider it a promising source of clean, renewable energy. U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) has worked to secure federal funding for marine and hydrokinetic projects for the state. "Maine is well positioned to lead the nation in tidal energy development. The Cobscook Bay Tidal Energy Project is one example of the type of actions we need on a national scale to stabilize energy, prevent energy shortages and achieve national energy independence," she said.

In April, the Maine Public Utilities Commission approved terms for 20-year power purchase agreements, and directed the state's three investor-owned utilities to negotiate agreements with ORPC, with the hope of attracting more private investment as the project continues.

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