Bianca Sanchez, bianca.sanchez@sierraclub.org
MAINE. – Today, the Department of Interior (DOI) announced the results of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s first-ever Gulf of Maine wind energy auction for eight lease areas off the shore of Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. In total, two bids on four of the lease areas were accepted adding up to $21.9 million. With the potential to power 2.3 million homes, the winning bids further bolster New England’s efforts to develop clean, renewable offshore wind.
Invenergy NE Offshore Wind won leases on two of the available lease areas. The first, a $4,892,700 lease, consists of 97,854 acres off the coast of Maine. The second is a $5,889,000 lease for 117,780 acres off the coast of Massachusetts. Avangrid Renewables won the other two leases, a $4,928,250 and $6,244,850 lease, both off the coast of Massachusetts.
Today’s sale marks significant progress toward developing responsible, equitable offshore wind along the Atlantic coast. DOI proposed the first-ever Gulf of Maine lease sale in April and set the auction date in September. Sales for all eight Gulf of Maine areas ran simultaneously and included lease stipulations on engagement with local communities, tribes, and industries.
Sierra Club chapters across New England released the following statements in response to today’s Gulf of Maine lease sale:
“With offshore wind, we can power Mainers' homes with clean energy, boost our state and regional economies, and make the progress necessary to fight the global climate crisis,” said Andrew Blunt, Coastal Advocate with Sierra Club Maine. “Today’s auction moves Maine one step closer toward securing our spot as a premiere hub for offshore wind in the region. Soon, floating offshore wind turbines far off our coast will make Maine a leader in this sector, and will bring a wave of good-paying clean energy jobs to our communities.”
“We celebrate the result of today’s offshore wind lease auction,” said Vick Mohanka, Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter Director. “Offshore wind is the surest pathway to putting gas in the past in Massachusetts and setting our grid up for electrification. As we continue developing this emerging industry in the Northeast, the federal government must ensure equitable community and tribal engagement, protections for natural resources, and strong labor standards.”
“Our New England neighbors have been hard at work ensuring progress toward offshore wind development regionwide,” said Samantha Dynowski, Sierra Club Connecticut Chapter Director. “Achieving our regional 9 GW offshore wind goal will drive down electricity costs and create local, green jobs, including at Connecticut’s offshore wind port, the State Pier in New London. Governor Lamont should heed the example of our neighbors and commit to procuring more offshore wind that stabilizes our electricity bills, ends reliance on fracked gas, and moves us toward achieving our climate goals.”
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.