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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 17 A U G U S T 2 2 , 2 0 2 2 F O C U S G R E AT E R B A N G O R / N O R T H E R N M A I N E it is a shorter-term gig than probably something more consistent. at's the nature of the beast." Other leaders aren't worried. "Anytime we can bring people or workers to Aroostook County, even if it is short-term, at least there's a chance to keep them and I think that's a good thing," says Jackson. "I'm definitely not deterred about if we can get these projects going, we'll find the workforce because they are good-paying jobs, and they're right in line with the things that people in Aroostook County already do." Jeremy Payne, the director of the Maine Renewable Energy Association, disagrees with the premise that short- term jobs might not be useful. "Nothing is said about the tempo- rary nature of construction jobs for roads and bridges, and yet for some reason it is frequently talked about as it relates to renewable energy build- outs," says Payne. "I think the bottom line is: You're not talking about a 30 MW potential. In Aroostook County, you're talking about hundreds, if not thousands, of megawatts." He continues, "Oh yes, there's going to come a time where a construction crew will finish their project. But if we do this right, and the pricing comes in the way we think and hope it's going to, I think there are going to be jobs for many, many years up there." Even if laborers come from outside the region or Maine, Pelletier still sees plenty of upside. "I think having new people in the area, spending money and shopping, that always helps the economy," he says. "ose folks, even if they're here temporarily, are spending their income while they're here, going out to eat, buying gas, grocery shopping, all the traditional things that you need that turns the economy and employs people indirectly." 'Talked about throughout my life' Turning Aroostook County into an energy hub "has been something that has been talked about throughout my life," says Jackson, who's 54. He believes there are several reasons the Legislature hasn't taken more action on the idea until now. ey include current concerns around energy prices, as well as wind-power developers previously going "at it on their own" to pitch a project without much community input. Jackson also thinks it now helps that he's the first Maine Senate presi- dent to hail from Aroostook County in over half a century. "We've been dealing with electric rates that are just killing people across the state and have people really on edge about how they're going to make it through these winters," he says. "So I think with all those things wrapped together and a Legislature that also understood there's an opportunity to get lower-cost energy right here in Maine — homegrown, made-in-Maine — then why wouldn't we at least try to want to take that opportunity?" Bridget Reed Morawski, a freelance writer, can be reached at editorial @ mainebiz.biz Develop Solutions. Gain Experience. Lead Change. HUSSON IS HOW 1 COLLEGE CIRCLE | BANGOR, MAINE 207.941.7000 | husson.edu Maine state Sen. President Troy Jackson has advocated for clean energy projects that can create jobs. P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F M A I N E S E N AT E D E M O C R AT I C O F F I C E Anytime we can bring people or workers to Aroostook County … that's a good thing. — Troy Jackson Maine Senate President

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