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June 5, 2019

CT makes historic offshore wind commitment

By Joe Cooper

Connecticut is set to significantly expand its footing in the offshore wind industry.

The Senate unanimously approved a bill Tuesday, previously passed in the House, that requires the state to greenlight up to 2,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2030. 

Under H.B. 7156, the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) would begin soliciting bids from renewable offshore wind sources two weeks after Gov. Ned Lamont, who has pledged support for the measure, signs the bill into law.

Its passage comes months after DEEP announced it would increase its initial order of electrical power from the Revolution Wind facility, the state’s first offshore wind project located in federal waters between Montauk, N.Y., and Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., from 200 megawatts to 300 megawatts. Danish energy giant Ørsted is expected to begin building the plant in late 2023. Eversource Energy has half ownership in the project.

The legislation would mark Connecticut’s first offshore-wind mandate, which advocates say will supply the state with clean energy alternatives to fossil fuels, natural gas and nuclear energy.

“Offshore wind is the key to fighting climate change, creating jobs, and lowering energy costs…” said Lori Brown, executive director at the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV). “This bill shows Governor Lamont and the General Assembly are thinking about our future. Our green economy starts today.”

The bill also helps Connecticut close the gap on other Northeast states that have made much larger offshore wind commitments, including New York (requires a 9,000-megawatt commitment by 2035), New Jersey (3,500 megawatts by 2030) and Massachusetts (3,200 megawatts by 2035).

It also builds off the state’s announcement last month that it will team up with the terminal operator of New London’s State Pier in a $93 million redevelopment to upgrade the pier into an offshore wind hub.

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