September 2008
Status of US Offshore Wind Development Activity by State
Public sector initiatives and responses to development proposals
Massachusetts
Energy & Environmental Affairs
Contact:
Greg Watson, Senior Advisor for Clean Energy Technology
Greg.watson@state.ma.us
ACTION:
Energy Facilities Siting Board approved cabling and grid connection.
Secretary of EEA signed-off on the Final EIR for Cape Wind.
STATUS:
MMS issued a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) received public comment; FEIS anticipated by the end of the year.
Contact:
Deerin Babb-Brott, Asst. Secretary for Oceans,
Deerin.babb-brott@state.ma.us
ACTION:
In May 2008 the MA Ocean Management Act became law, mandating the development of a comprehensive plan for state waters, including identification of offshore wind development sites,, by December 2009
STATUS:
The Ocean Renewables Interagency Working Group is one of several identifying sector-specific resources and needs to support the planning process. A MA Ocean Council and Science Advisory Council has been appointed. http://www.mass.gov/czm/oceanmanagement/index.htm
Massachusetts Technology Collaborative
Contact:
Nils Bolgen, Program Manager
bolgen@masstech.org
ACTION:
Providing $1.7 million in a forgivable pre-development loan to the Town of Hull Municipal Light Plant (HMLP) to do preliminary environ. & engineer. studies for a four turbine wind farm approximately 1.5 miles from shore.
STATUS:
Hull submitted an Environmental Notification Form (ENF); Secretary issued Scope for a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR). Technical analysis on-going.
ACTION:
Completed business plan and providing $150k funding for formation stage for a national Offshore Wind Collaborative, to execute the tech, environ, econ and policy agenda outlined in the Framework for Offshore Wind Energy in the United States.
STATUS:
MA Energy and Environmental Affairs now an active participant (previous administration not supportive).
8 member self-selected steering committee (AWEA, Mass Audubon, CESA, Batelle, NOAA, MTC, EEA, MIT) to meet in March 2008 to draft a six-month launch strategy
MTC, U Mass; Energy & Environmental Affairs; Economic Affairs
ACTION:
Responded to the NREL CRADA to construct a Blade Test Facility at the Massport Carport
STATUS:
Proposal selected for development, along with Texas; design under way;
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