- Regional coalition launched to promote offshore wind energy and encourage New England state governors to collaborate on initiatives
- At recent launch event, New England for Offshore Wind touts environmental, economic, and other benefits of offshore wind farms
- Group says New England waters are ideally suited for this technology
A recently launched coalition of more than 40 partners from the six New England states is advocating for the responsible development of offshore wind energy in the state. New England for Offshore Wind called on the states’ governors to collaborate on the initiative.
New England for Offshore Wind argues that the region is ideally suited for the expanded adoption of offshore wind energy due to strong and steady winds, shallow water depths, and the short transmission distance to high-demand markets onshore. The coalition also argues that offshore wind can help fill gaps in the region’s energy grids as older fossil fuel power plants go offline.
The first offshore wind farm in the United States is located off Block Island, which is part of Rhode Island. One speaker, Captain David Monti, says the pylons of the wind turbines have helped support fish habitats. Monti also said commercial and recreational fishing operations have been able to co-exist with the wind farm.
In its letter to the governors, New England for Offshore Wind declared offshore wind to be “the single biggest clean energy lever we can pull to address the climate crisis, and we celebrate that it also strengthens our regional economy, protects ratepayers, creates jobs, and improves public health by reducing pollution.”
