Offshore wind
Public comment and informational events
Could wind turbines affect right whales’ food source? More study needed, says new report
Right whales, a critically endangered species, have adopted the Nantucket Shoals, an area of shallow waters, for breeding and feeding. The shoals lie several miles east of planned offshore wind developments.
Where is glauconite, the seafloor mineral challenging offshore wind?
In the coming months, scientists will review data from the last wide-scale effort to sample the U.S. Atlantic seafloor for glauconite — which happened in the 1960s and 1970s.
A tricky, sticky mineral that’s challenging offshore wind developers
The geotechnical properties of glauconite make it an “extremely difficult material to build upon,” said U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the lead regulator of offshore wind, last month.
New England states team up to jump-start offshore wind industry
Massachusetts is partnering with Rhode Island and Connecticut to coordinate a multi-state procurement of offshore wind projects.
Governors say rising costs threaten offshore wind
“Without federal action, offshore wind deployment in the U.S. is at serious risk of stalling because States’ ratepayers may be unable to absorb these significant new costs alone.” — Letter from six governors, including Maura Healey
First assembled turbine parts leave New Bedford for Vineyard Wind site
“It may look easy, but the safe transportation of these components miles over the open water is no small feat. While we’ve had many firsts, once this turbine is installed, it will stand as a proud symbol of [America’s] energy transition.” — Vineyard Wind CEO Moeller
‘Enforcer’ patrols wind farms to protect jobs – but for whom?
“It’s about closing the loopholes that allow foreign nationals to undercut American industry in our own country.” — Aaron Smith, president of Offshore Marine Services Association, a Louisiana-based trade group that charters the Jones Act Enforcer.
Developers touted local jobs in offshore energy — are they delivering?
The majority of Vineyard Wind’s contracts have not gone to companies in New Bedford, the Southeastern Massachusetts region, or even within the U.S. Only 4% of the value of Vineyard Wind’s subcontracts were awarded to companies in Southeastern Massachusetts, according to a study.
Building a global pipeline for wind jobs on the South Coast
As the nation’s first commercial-scale offshore wind installation takes root, Massachusetts colleges and New Bedford public schools invest in training future workers.
State energy department supports scrapping wind contract
“DOER recognizes the significant inflationary pressures and supply-chain issues facing projects like Commonwealth Wind and is committed to the development of a robust offshore wind industry in the region.” — DOER legal counsel Colin Carroll.
Wind power nacelles — ‘the heart of the turbine’ — arrive in port
The nacelle — which can be as big as a small house — sits atop the turbine towers and contains the machinery that converts wind energy into electricity, which is set to reach Massachusetts as early as October, according to wind officials.
Vineyard Wind wind plans to deliver power in mid-October
When they are fully assembled, each of Vineyard Wind 1’s 62 turbines will stretch about 850 feet above the Atlantic Ocean — taller than any building in New England.
Avangrid agrees to pay $48m to terminate offshore wind deal
The $48 million termination payment will be paid in three installments to the utilities and the money will be reimbursed to ratepayers, according to filings with the Department of Public Utilities.
Whale carcasses on Martha’s Vineyard fuel speculation about wind turbines
NOAA concluded in a January report that there is “no known connection” between offshore wind activity and whale deaths. But some remain skeptical. Without an investigation, they say there is no way the agency can stand by its claim.
Renegotiating choice: Protect ratepayers or push clean energy?
Utilities regulator suggests developers have the upper hand in renegotiating contract terms
Massachusetts offshore wind developers could forfeit more than $100M
Both wind farms looking to terminate bids face hefty penalties: Commonwealth Wind would forfeit $48 million and SouthCoast Wind would lose $60 million.
‘Steel in the water’ on Vineyard Wind project
Installation begins south of Martha’s Vineyard on foundations for country’s first commercial-scale wind farm.
Turbine blades arrive in New Bedford as second heavy load carrier navigates harbor
The RollDock Sky was carrying six, 351-foot blades. The 62-turbine project, with three bladers per tower, will require 186 in total.
Video: Blades arrive in New Bedford as second heavy load carrier eases into port
The RollDock Sky moved through the New Bedford hurricane barrier Tuesday morning, bringing wind turbine blades for offshore wind project Vineyard Wind into port.
SouthCoast Wind also wants to terminate offshore wind contract
The company is effectively turning to the same playbook that another major wind developer, Commonwealth Wind, deployed after concluding that its own 1,200 megawatt installation “cannot be financed and built” under existing contract terms.
Windfall podcast
The birth of a new American industry
In Episode 1 of the “Windfall” podcast, New Hampshire Public Radio examines the potential for wind power to reshape our energy future.
America’s would-be first wind farm
In Episode 2 of the “Windfall” podcast, New Hampshire Public Radio looks at how Cape Wind’s failure laid the groundwork for the industry’s explosive growth today.
How a scrappy squid fishery took on Vineyard Wind
In Episode 3 of the “Windfall” podcast, New Hampshire Public Radio looks at the forces colliding in the fight for fishing grounds.
Angling to become the wind capital of America
What does New Bedford stand to gain from the nation’s coming offshore wind boom? In Episode 4 of the “Windfall” podcast, New Hampshire Public Radio looks at big promises coming from industry leaders.
Alternative energy goes corporate
Is the environmental movement ready to welcome Big Oil and devoted capitalists into its ranks? At what cost? Episode 5 of New Hampshire Public Radio’s “Windfall” podcast explores.
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