Gov. Healey moving forward on wind power - Mayor Mitchell says good for New Bedford
NEW BEDFORD - Mayor Jon Mitchell was pleased with Gov. Maura Healey's announcement Tuesday that the state was moving forward with its fourth round of offshore wind power solicitation, the first under Healey.
"The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and the electric distribution companies (EDCs) jointly filed a draft Request for Proposals (RFP) with the Department of Public Utilities (DPU), which if approved, would represent the fourth and largest offshore wind solicitation to date," according to a press release.
It also states, "If approved, the draft RFP will invite submittals for offshore wind generation to procure up to 3,600 megawatts, which represents 25 percent of the state’s annual electricity demand and a significant increase over the previous procurement, which sought approximately 1,600 megawatts of offshore wind. This would be the largest procurement for offshore wind energy generation ever in New England."
Healey said, “We are excited to announce the first offshore wind procurement of our administration – the biggest in our region’s history. This draft RFP is a signal to the rest of the world that Massachusetts is all-in on offshore wind and ready to be the industry’s hub. Our proposal is also a commitment to Massachusetts ratepayers to chase after all clean energy for our homes and businesses.”
Mitchell issued the following statetment, “The Healy-Driscoll Administration has demonstrated real leadership with its decision to create a strong, predictable incentive for wind developers to include robust economic development commitments in their proposals for future offshore wind energy projects."
He added, "We in New Bedford have long expressed concern that Massachusetts was not keeping up with its competitor states in incentivizing wind industry investment. Today’s announcement represents an important course correction in state policy and puts New Bedford in a stronger position to establish itself as a national leader of this emerging industry.”
Under the proposed timeline, bids are due Jan. 31, 2024. This proposed timeline allows project developers to incorporate several emerging initiatives, including anticipated federal program guidance on tax credits, federal grants for transmission upgrades, and additional coordination with regional state partners, according to the release.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: New Bedford Mayor Mitchell praises Healey's offshore power pursuit
