The Governor of Connecticut Ned Lamont has signed the legislation approving the procurement of an additional 2,000MW of offshore wind energy in the state.
The state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) will now begin the request for proposal (RFP) process, followed by a public comment period.
The RFP will also include the findings of the Commission of Environmental Standards, which will recommend best practices on minimizing environmental and fisheries impact.
“This emerging industry has the potential to create hundreds of good paying jobs for the residents of our state and drive economic growth in towns along our shoreline,” Lamont said.
“And by delivering zero carbon renewable energy, we can increase our region’s fuel security while also making significant progress toward meeting our climate goals. By adopting this new law, we are sending a clear message – Connecticut is serious about becoming a major player in the clean energy economy.”
The Connecticut State Senate recently unanimously approved the House Bill 7156, An Act Concerning the Procurement of Energy Derived From Offshore Wind, after the House of Representatives voted 134-10 in favor of the legislation in mid-May.
The approval also comes after the Connecticut Port Authority and terminal operator Gateway partnered with Bay State Wind, a joint venture of Ørsted and Eversource, to redevelop the State Pier into an offshore wind hub through a combined investment of USD 93 million to upgrade its infrastructure and heavy-lift capability.