Video: Gone in 10 seconds — 80-foot smokestack demolished
The monster that hovered over the waterfront for an eternity was brought down Friday to make way for the future wind industry.
Commonwealth Wind appeals ‘capricious’ DPU contract decision
Commonwealth Wind parent company Avangrid has said for months that increases in commodity prices, rising interest rates and supply shortages mean that its 1,200 megawatt renewable energy project “cannot be financed and built” under the terms.
Grant targets offshore wind work: ‘Our residents are not the ones getting the jobs’
“We are going to put our people in these unions. This is a new industry, but we don’t want the same, old problems. The historic discrimination. If we’re at the table, that won’t happen. But right now, we’re not.” — John “Buddy” Andrade, executive director of the Old Bedford Village Development Corp.
Healey touts clean energy opportunities in visit to UMass Dartmouth
“We’re about Massachusetts competing,” the governor said of the state’s approach to offshore wind. “We think this is an area where we can compete hard. And we want to win.”
Mayor, city leaders call on Healey to fight for offshore wind business
Letter: “Every East Coast state is now actively competing for investment, and nearly all of their governors have proclaimed that their state will become the industry’s epicenter.” And, other states “have competed more aggressively than Massachusetts.”
DPU rejects bid to scrap offshore wind contracts, approves them instead
Commonwealth Wind had filed a motion to dismiss its power purchase agreements, saying that the largest offshore wind farm in the state’s pipeline “cannot be financed and built” under the terms of those contracts.
Markey, Moulton push for national fund to compensate fishermen for losses due to offshore wind
Fishing groups have been critical of the current approach, saying the government’s lack of clear requirements gives the offshore wind industry the upper hand in compensation negotiations.
Wind industry group says turbine restrictions for whales could threaten commercial viability of projects
The American Clean Power Association, which represents the wind industry and lobbies for it, said a buffer would cause the removal of a “significant number” of turbines from several projects.
Wind energy developer files to scrap power agreements
Declaring the project “cannot be financed and built” under existing contracts, Commonwealth Wind asked Massachusetts regulators to dismiss the power purchase agreements it reached with utility companies.
New Bedford’s waterfront smokestack survives … for another week or so
“The explosives contractor arrived in the morning but he didn’t bring any dynamite with him. … That’s when he let people know he had a problem with his insurance.” — Andrew Saunders, president of the Foss Marine Terminal.
Northeast states want regional fund to pay fishermen for offshore wind damages
Group seeks comments on how the fund should be designed and managed to equitably compensate fishermen for economic losses caused by wind developments.
Utility companies don’t want to delay offshore wind contracts
Eversource, National Grid and Unitil say they do not plan to renegotiate power purchase agreements with Commonwealth Wind and Mayflower Wind
NOAA scientists propose more protection for right whales in offshore wind area
A 2022 New England Aquarium-led study found an increasing trend of right whale abundance in the waters off of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket during all seasons (instead of just in the winter and spring).
Major Massachusetts offshore wind project no longer viable
Last week, Commonwealth Wind filed a motion for a one-month delay in DPU’s review, telling the state that their project can no longer move forward as planned.
Judge’s order in wind turbine lawsuit will allow Vineyard Wind to proceed with offshore project
Vineyard Wind CEO Klaus Skoust Moeller had told the court that the Vineyard Wind 1 project would not be built if it could not use the agreed on GE turbines.
Head of NOAA Fisheries visits New Bedford, impact of offshore wind development on fishing a concern
Janet Coit, head of the top fisheries agency, was invited to the closed-door meeting with a diverse coalition of industry leaders, scientists and city officials at a pivotal moment for the nation’s top-earning commercial fishing port.
Vineyard Wind may have dodged bullet in patent lawsuit between wind power giants
A proposed judgment filed by General Electric and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy late Thursday evening would preserve GE’s agreement to sell 62 turbines to Vineyard Wind for its project, set to begin construction at sea next year.
Power plant demolition crew takes caution with asbestos — and nesting ospreys
The Foss Marine Terminal, at the site of the old Cannon Street power station, will become the second offshore wind staging area on New Bedford’s waterfront. It is slated to open in March 2023.
Save Right Whales group questions donations from wind power industry
A report released by the Save Right Whales Coalition catalogs $4.2 million between offshore wind developers to such groups as the Environmental League of Massachusetts, New England Aquarium and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute.
Developers ink $13.6 million deal for New Bedford staging area at Cannon Street power station site
The terminal is slated to open in March 2023, and will provide storage, laydown yards for equipment and materials, berth facilities for tug and barge operations, host crew transfer vessels and service operation vessel support services.
‘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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