Washington DC – This week, three major offshore wind announcements demonstrate the rapid growth and further potential of the industry. Two New England states made a major procurement agreement with another still pending. The Gulf of Maine took a major step forward for new offshore wind development and a Maryland project became the 10th commercial-scale offshore wind project to be approved across the country.

“This week is yet another clear proof point that offshore wind is a significant part of the country’s energy future,” said Bill Holland, LCV Vice President, State Policy and Advocacy.” New projects across the country have already created thousands of good paying union jobs with the potential to power millions of homes with reliable, inexpensive energy. This is exactly how we power the region’s clean energy leadership and keep up the momentum so we can reach our national goals and deliver these enormous benefits for East Coast workers and ratepayers.”

Rhode Island and Massachusetts make landmark agreement 

Today, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee announced the selection of nearly 2.9 GW of offshore wind energy from three proposed projects that together will power over 1.4 million homes in a first-of-its-kind multi-state offshore wind procurement. 

“The selection of a total 2,878 MW of offshore wind projects is a big win for Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and it demonstrates the benefits of a collaborative procurement approach for New England. We urge Connecticut to take advantage of this moment and select bids to help realize the critical benefits that offshore wind will deliver for the people of Connecticut and the region,” said Kelt Wilska, Offshore Wind Director, Environmental League of Massachusetts, and New England for Offshore Wind Regional Lead. “The more than 100 members of the New England for Offshore Wind coalition believe that offshore wind is the single biggest lever we can pull to address the climate crisis, strengthen our regional economy, protect ratepayers, improve public health, and create family-sustaining union jobs. We are delighted that the states worked together on a multi-state solicitation, and we look forward to seeing more New England states collaborate, as the region expands development in new lease areas, such as the Gulf of Maine.”

Connecticut still undecided 

Connecticut was originally expected to join its neighbors in the historic offshore wind procurement, but Governor Ned Lamont has until the end of the month to make a decision if the state will make a similar procurement agreement.

“We actively await Connecticut’s reaction to the Tri-State procurement,” said Mike Urgo, Connecticut LCV President. “This is a critical time for renewable energy and we must keep the momentum going, as a region. We recognize there are a variety of factors that may influence Connecticut’s path forward, and we are hopeful that Governor Lamont will allocate our share of wind energy to one of the bidding developers soon. Procuring offshore wind will mark a significant step toward reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, improving the state’s air quality, and addressing the health impacts associated with fossil fuel pollution.” 

Gulf of Maine takes major step forward

In addition, the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management released its final Environmental Assessment for the Gulf of Maine Wind Energy Area today. This is a crucial step towards issuing commercial offshore wind leases and seizing the potential to generate up to 15 GW of clean, renewable offshore wind power in the Gulf of Maine.

“Maine needs offshore wind to bring good, union jobs, move away from expensive and volatile fossil fuels, and protect our coastlines from further climate damage,” said Lucy Hochschartner, Maine Conservation Voters Climate & Clean Energy Director. “We are excited to be one step closer to bringing homegrown energy to Maine with the knowledge that the lease areas have no significant impact to our ocean ecosystems.” 

10th commercial-scale offshore wind project approved off the coast of Maryland

Yesterday, the Maryland Offshore Wind Project received its final federal approval– the nation’s tenth commercial-scale offshore wind development approved under the Biden-Harris Administration. To date, federal agencies under this administration’s leadership have approved more than 15 gigawatts of offshore wind energy, enough to power 5.25 million American homes. This exciting milestone is the halfway point to achieving the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal of 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030. 

“The approval of US Wind’s Maryland Offshore Wind Project is a big step forward for our state’s clean energy future, ” said Rebecca Rehr, Maryland LCV Director of Climate Policy & Justice. “This project will help Maryland meet its climate goals while bringing real economic benefits to our communities. With the potential to power more than 700,000 homes and create thousands of good jobs, offshore wind is an important part of the equation to meet the growing energy demand and climate impacts we face. We’re excited to see this move towards energy independence and a cleaner power grid for all Marylanders.”