Environmental Technologies

Environmental Technologies

Environmental technologies is a highly diverse sector from which has emerged a clear set of directions in the fields of environmental services and engineering. Maine has a definable advantage in the knowledge and skills in this area, with a diversifying set of activities to meet growing markets. Maine’s own commitment to a high quality environment serves as a spur to innovation in this field, which may permit national and global markets to be served. The environmental services subsector is the one part of this diverse sector that has the characteristics of a sustainable cluster.

Other parts of the sector are not of sufficient size or organization to characterize them as clusters. The environmental products subsector is difficult to measure and is still somewhat small. Renewable energy has had up-and-down cycles in Maine and is very likely poised for a significant up cycle over the next decade. There is growth potential in both these subsectors that may very well yield clusters in Maine within the next decade. The worldwide demand for certified “green” products is already growing rapidly, as is the role that Maine will play in renewable energy production using technologies such as wind.