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Panel: Maine Economy Needs a Few Good Ideas

October 29, 2008 - PORTLAND -- Generating big ideas requires the courage to be stupid, former Gov. Angus King advised members of the business community Tuesday.

"In order to have good ideas, you've got to have lots of ideas," King said at the annual University of Southern Maine School of Business Executive Forum. "You've got to be willing to throw ideas out there."

The three panelists at the event, "It All Starts with a Big Idea Transforming the Maine Economy," spoke about ideas for a long-term energy plan for the state, potential growth in the biomedical research sector, as well as ways to nurture such big ideas.

In addition to a willingness to take flak for ideas that might fall short, the ability to make connections, having a fresh perspective and perseverance also are key, King told the audience at the event, which was co-sponsored by the Portland Regional Chamber and held at the Holiday Inn by the Sea in Portland.

He mentioned his plan to provide laptop computers to seventh-graders among the five big ideas he's come up with. His latest big concept, he said, is the development of offshore wind turbines that he said could provide all the state's energy needs – including powering cars and heating homes.

Sara Burns, president and chief executive officer of Central Maine Power, spoke about the state's need for a long-term energy plan. She has been giving presentations two or three times a week to start a dialogue about the issue.

She said consumer frustration at energy prices cannot be resolved until the state's fuel mix changes. Currently, Maine is 74 percent dependent on oil and gas, even as developers want to bring wind energy into Maine, Burns said.

"Why aren't we embracing these people?" Burns asked.

Conservation plays a role in Burns' vision for a long-term plan for the state. So does a $1.5 billion upgrade the utility plans for the electricity transmission system. A plan to connect Aroostook County to the rest of the power system in Maine also plays a part.

Kenneth Ault, director of the Maine Medical Center Research Institute, talked about the potential for biomedical research, which he said was just reaching a critical mass in Maine. Ault said long-range planning and consistency in funding will help.

Ault said that every dollar of state investment in the sector has returned between $6 and $7 in out-of-state money, primarily grants from the National Institutes of Health. His organization is growing and has found it easy to recruit good scientists when the infrastructure is in place.

"Biomedical research is unique because it's so well-funded," he said.

Questions from the audience suggested that big ideas have to fight against a negative environment.

Burns said naysayers' concerns can be parochial and that local resistance can halt an entire project. Ault said education that familiarizes people with an issue can be helpful. King said persistence is important.

"Resistance to change is in human nature, it's not just in Maine," he said.

By ANN S. KIM, Staff Writer, Portland Press Herald, October 29, 2008


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