EASTPORT, Maine (AP) — Coast Guard officials say a Coast Guard station in eastern Maine is the first federal facility anywhere to use tidal power as an energy source.

Coast Guard Capt. James McPherson is being joined by Gov. John Baldacci and U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud on Tuesday to celebrate the launch of tidal power at the Coast Guard station in Eastport.

A 60-kilowatt tidal turbine launched in March by Ocean Renewable Power Co. began providing grid-compatible electricity to the station’s 41-foot utility boat last week. The turbine is powered by water current flows, much the way wind turbines are spun by moving air.

McPherson says tidal power has “unlimited potential” for other Coast Guard and federal facilities.