In a groundbreaking development for the New England region, the states of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut have come together to establish the first offshore wind multi-state coordination memorandum of understanding (MOU). This landmark agreement paves the way for the potential coordinated selection of offshore wind energy projects, as each state seeks to harness up to 6 gigawatts of clean energy through their respective procurement processes.
The announcement of this historic MOU was made by Governor Maura Healey at the American Clean Power Association's Offshore WINDPOWER Conference in Boston. Through this collaborative effort, the three states aim to solicit multi-state offshore wind proposals, fostering regional economic development, creating high-paying jobs, and promoting environmental justice and equity.
Under the terms of the MOU, offshore wind developers are invited to submit multi-state project proposals, which will be considered by each state's procurement authorities in 2024. The selection of actual projects will be contingent on individual assessments of cost-effectiveness and benefits to ratepayers, aligning with specific evaluation criteria outlined in each state's request for proposals.
This coordinated approach allows any two or all three of the participating states to jointly select multi-state proposals, sharing the anticipated megawatts and renewable energy certificates from a single project. This innovative strategy aims to capitalize on the advantages of scale, driving down costs while maximizing the benefits of offshore wind energy for the region.
Governor Healey emphasized the urgency of addressing the climate crisis, stating, “The climate crisis requires us to act in new and innovative ways. Massachusetts is proud to join with our neighboring states to continue to grow New England's offshore wind industry. By working together, we can amplify the many benefits of offshore wind for all three states, including regional economic development opportunities, healthier communities, lower energy bills, and advantages to environmental justice populations and low-income ratepayers.”
The multi-state coordination MOU represents a collaborative effort between the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER), the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP), and the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER).
