NE4OSW Supports Networked Offshore Grid Plan, Emphasizes Need for Transparency, Engagement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 3, 2022
Contact:
Jennifer Delony, New England for Offshore Wind
jdelony@ne4osw.org, 603.320.7043
NE4OSW Supports Networked Offshore Grid Plan, Emphasizes Need for Transparency, Engagement
Coalition Submits Comments on New England States’ Transmission Initiative
BOSTON – November 3, 2022 – New England for Offshore Wind (@NE4OSW) filed comments in response to a Request for Information issued by five New England states seeking information concerning the development of a networked offshore electric grid to help unlock offshore wind power in the Northeast.
In their Oct. 28 comments, the coalition applauded the states’ efforts and urged them to jointly move forward with plans for a networked offshore grid to save money, avoid unnecessary impacts, and improve the reliability and resilience of the electric grid while unlocking the region’s full potential for wind power. The coalition further urged the states to make transparency and community engagement a central feature of all grid planning, including the next steps to develop a networked offshore grid.
“New England for Offshore Wind is excited by the New England states’ efforts to seek information on joint transmission solutions for offshore wind, and we encourage them to maximize benefits for the region through development of a networked offshore grid that unlocks the promise of wind energy, reduces overall costs, and improves the reliability of the electric system,” said Susannah Hatch, Regional Lead for New England for Offshore Wind. “The states should begin planning and procurement processes as soon as possible to ensure that offshore wind can be a key solution to helping avert the worst impacts of climate change.”
“This collaborative initiative is very exciting,” said Melissa Birchard, Director for Clean Energy & Grid Transition at Acadia Center, a co-author of the coalition’s comments. “This is an innovative step forward to help secure the clean energy we need to power a reliable, modern electric system. New England and its neighbors can lead the nation in developing a networked offshore grid that maximizes the cost savings and reliability benefits of offshore wind, reduces the impacts of transmission, and forms the backbone of a future Atlantic offshore grid.”
“New England states are leading the way in equitable transmission planning that lifts up the voices of coastal communities, minimizes the onshore impacts of energy infrastructure, and ensures a just transition to clean energy jobs for workers in the fossil fuel industry,” said Kelt Wilska, Energy Justice Manager at Maine Conservation Voters, a co-author of the coalition’s comments.
The coalition submitted the comments in response to the Sept. 1 RFI issued by Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island for the new Regional Energy Transmission Infrastructure Initiative (NewEnglandEnergyVision.com).
In their comments, the coalition responded to questions about the regional transmission system and a draft modular offshore wind integration plan. The comments reiterated the coalition’s recently released set of six core Transmission Principles for guiding the siting and development of all transmission infrastructure, including the need for community engagement.
In keeping with the Transmission Principles, the coalition asked the states to prioritize workforce development in the selection of any project under the initiative, including training programs and targeted recruitment for communities that bear environmental and health burdens from fossil fuels.
About New England for Offshore Wind
New England for Offshore Wind (www.NewEnglandforOffshoreWind.org) is a broad-based coalition of businesses and associations, environmental and justice organizations, academic institutions, and labor unions committed to combatting climate change by increasing the supply of clean energy to our regional grid through more procurements of responsibly developed offshore wind. We believe that responsibly developed offshore wind is the single biggest lever we can pull to address the climate crisis while also strengthening our regional economy, protecting ratepayers, creating high quality jobs, and improving public health by reducing pollution.