Bianca Sanchez, bianca.sanchez@sierraclub.org
BOSTON, MA. -- Today, project bids for offshore wind development in Massachusetts and Rhode Island were selected by the states’ two respective energy and environmental agencies, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER). In total, 2,878 MW – split across three selected projects – were chosen in the first-of-its-kind joint procurement. That is enough renewable energy to power 1.5 million homes.
Massachusetts selected a total of 2,678 MW of power from the chosen projects: 1,287 MW from the SouthCoast Wind multi-state project, 791 MW from the New England Wind 1 project, and up to 800 MW from the Vineyard Wind 2 project. For its part, Rhode Island selected the remaining 200 MW from the SouthCoast Wind project.
"Offshore wind has the potential to power our buildings, vehicles, economies, and way of life here in Massachusetts and across New England,” said Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter Director Vick Mohanka. “The project selections by Massachusetts DOER and Rhode Island OER mark a pivotal moment in the Commonwealth’s journey toward a decarbonized future.”
The project selections mark a significant milestone in New England’s regional efforts to decarbonize the grid, build clean power, and lower energy costs. Together, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island share a goal of developing 9 GW offshore wind by 2030. While Massachusetts and Rhode Island announced bid selections today, the evaluation of project bids by Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) continues to be underway.
"Recent flooding in Connecticut is a testament to the devastating realities of the climate crisis,” said Sierra Club Connecticut Chapter Director Samantha Dynowski. "Now is the time for Connecticut to double down on offshore wind. We urge DEEP to follow the example of our neighbors and quickly complete the selection of project bids. These projects will undoubtedly have a profound positive impact on our state by reducing unhealthy emissions, providing green, local jobs, and lowering energy costs.”
According to a recent Sierra Club and Synapse Energy study, achieving this goal would reduce average residential electricity bill in New England by approximately $2.79/month to $4.61/month, depending on future gas prices. By adding 9 GW of offshore wind to the grid, New England will also retain approximately $1.57 billion that would have otherwise flowed out for gas fuel. On the health side, 9 GW of offshore wind would provide $362 million in annual public health benefits by avoiding tons of health-harming emissions.
Recent polling also indicates that most Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island residents support offshore wind development across the coast. Of the 1,200 poll respondents, 77 percent of Massachusetts residents, 67 percent of Rhode Island, and 75 percent of Connecticut residents support their state collaborating with neighboring states to build offshore wind farms to generate electricity.
Massachusetts’ DOER and Rhode Island’s OER expect to execute contracts for the projects selected today by October 9.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.