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The legal team of oilfield injury lawyers at Schmidt & Clark, LLP is dedicated to protecting the rights of injured oil rig workers and is one of the only firms with knowledge of maritime law willing to pursue justice in these practice areas in Maine and throughout the entire United States.
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Is There Oil in Maine?
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports no oil or gas resources in Maine. Ten test wells were drilled in the Gulf of Maine during the 1970s on the fishing grounds of the Georges Bank. Leasing bans in both the U.S. and Canada have since put Georges Bank off limits.
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Atlantic Oil & Gas Discovery Estimates
In 2014, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) reviewed 10 seabed geological deposits within 200 miles of the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf. The agency used a technique by which new oil discoveries in other parts of the globe were taken into account because they have similar geologic traits to those in the Atlantic.
BOEM estimated that undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Atlantic totaled approximately 4.72 billion barrels of oil, up 43% from the estimate given in 2011. The natural gas potential was 37.51 trillion cubic feet, up 20% from 2011.
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Where Does Maine Get Its Oil?
Since Maine does not have any crude oil reserves or production, refined petroleum products are transported to the state from several marine points of entry, including the Port of Portland on Casco Bay. Portland is a natural deep-water harbor and is ice-free year-round.
Maine Energy Profile
- 60% of Maine's households use fuel oil as their primary energy source for home heating, a larger share than any other state in the U.S.
- In 2021, 72% of Maine's total electricity came from renewable energy, and hydroelectric power provided the largest share at 27%.
- In 2021, Maine ranked 5th in the U.S. in the share of total electricity generation provided by wind energy, with wind providing approximately 23% of Maine's in-state net generation.
- Forests cover about 90% of the state of Maine, a larger share than any other state, and wood and wood waste-derived fuels supply the majority of the biomass Maine uses for electricity generation. In 2021, biomass accounted for 20% of Maine’s total net generation, the second-largest share in the U.S.
- In 2020, Maine’s natural gas use per capita was 3rd-lowest in the U.S. largely because most of Maine lacks natural gas distribution systems.
Wind Energy in Maine
There are numerous wind power projects in Maine, totaling nearly 1,000 megawatts in capacity. In 2020, wind energy was responsible for nearly one-quarter of in-state electricity production. A year earlier, Maine had more wind capacity than the other 5 New England states combined, at 923 megawatts. The largest wind farm in Maine is the Bingham Wind Farm in Kingsbury Plantation, with a capacity of 185 megawatts.
Which Industry Has the Highest Rate of Fatal Injuries in Maine?
In 2021, the following industries were ranked as the most dangerous in the state of Maine:
- Construction - Experienced the most workplace deaths overall
- Education/health services - Experienced the most non-fatal injuries and illnesses involving days away from work
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting - Experienced the highest death rate per 100,000 workers
- Transportation and warehousing - Experienced the highest injury and illness rate involving days away from work per 10,000 workers
2022 Marks Worst Year for Maine Car Accidents in 15 Years
2022 was one of the worst years for traffic safety in Maine since the turn of the century, according to WGME-TV. Authorities counted at least 177 fatalities in highway car wrecks in the state in 2022. This makes 2022 the deadliest on Maine’s highways since 2007 when 183 died from injuries sustained in highway crashes.
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Get a Free Lawsuit Evaluation With Our Maine Oil Field Accident and Injury Lawyers
The personal injury lawyers at Schmidt & Clark, LLP have experience dealing with the rights of American oilfield workers, and we are one of the only firms willing to handle oilfield workplace accidents in Maine and throughout the entire United States.
Again, if you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an oilfield accident in Maine, you should contact our oil field accident lawyers immediately by using the form below or calling our law firm toll-free 24 hrs/day by dialing (866) 588-0600 to schedule a free case review and legal options.
Clients may be able to recover fair compensation for medical expenses from an oil company in a lawsuit and a personal injury lawyer can help.
To contact us for a free review of your potential case, please fill out the form below or call us toll free 24 hrs/day by dialing: 