When CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) released the draft Comprehensive Energy Strategy in July, the CT Roundtable on Climate and Jobs voiced concern about the absence of offshore wind as a component of the state’s vision. Since RI made history in 2016 with the first offshore wind farm in the US, other states in the region have been aggressively pursuing offshore wind development in leased areas in federal waters. MA, for example, has mandated that their utilities must purchase 1600 MW of offshore wind resources by 2027, and the state plans to sign contracts for the first 400 MW next spring.
In September, the Roundtable organized a forum on offshore wind, hosted by IBEW Local 90, and gathered 130+ endorsements on a statement urging that offshore wind be integrated into CT’s climate and energy strategies.
Earlier this month, DEEP announced plans to procure offshore wind in 2018, marking a significant victory for clean energy advocates! The next step is to ensure that the projects will provide local jobs and economic development for CT’s workers and communities. CT workers can help build the turbines in federal waters south of MA & RI; New London’s port can be the onshore hub; and CT manufacturers can provide components. This is a very exciting advance toward the clean energy future we need!
