MassCEC Seeks Proposals For Field Surveys and Marine Resources Characterization For Offshore Wind

BOSTON – The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), in partnership with the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), announced today that it is seeking proposals from contractors to collect migratory and habitat usage data on marine wildlife to help the Commonwealth and federal agencies assess the configuration of future offshore wind energy development off the coast of Massachusetts.

 

“Governor Patrick merged energy and environment under one secretariat recognizing the need to ensure the integrity of the Commonwealth’s unique natural resources as we pursue a path toward a clean energy future,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr., who chairs the MassCEC board. “The MassCEC study on marine wildlife is an example of that interplay in action, and its results will inform critical decisions about the responsible siting of wind power off the Massachusetts coast.”

“These studies are essential in helping the Commonwealth and the federal government determine the best locations and configurations of offshore wind sites,” said MassCEC Executive Director Patrick Cloney.  

 

The field survey work will capture a full year of seasonal migratory data of birds, North Atlantic right whales and other large whales, and sea turtles in federal waters off the coast of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard Islands.

 

“Gathering strong, dispassionate scientific data is one key to creating informed, effective public policy,” said Cape and Islands State Senator Dan Wolf. “That’s why I’m pleased to see this effort move forward.”

 

Today’s MassCEC Request for Proposals (RFP) follows the recent announcement of a federal leasing process for development of offshore wind energy in federal waters off the Massachusetts coast. In December 2010 the US Department of Interior’s Bureau of Offshore Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) issued a Request for Interest (RFI) to measure the offshore wind industry’s interest in developing renewable energy projects within a 3,000 (2,224 nautical) square mile expanse of federal waters off the Massachusetts coast, beginning approximately 13.8 (12 nautical) miles south of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. The Massachusetts Renewable Energy Task Force – an interagency group of federal, state, tribal, and local elected officials – partnered with BOEMRE to draw the boundaries of the RFI area, which has excellent wind resources and water depths able to accommodate current and near term wind power technologies. MassCEC and EEA will continue to collaborate with the Task Force, as well asfederal and state fisheries and wildlife agencies, as the field survey work is developed and conducted, 

 

 

In tandem with BOEMRE, the Commonwealth issued a supplement to the RFI, Goals for Offshore Renewable Energy and Request for Additional Information, which broadens the scope of the federal government’s inquiry – asking the industry think broadly about build-out of wind energy facilities in the RFI area in terms of system design, engineering, construction, ownership, transmission and electric grid configuration. MassCEC and EEA will continue to collaborate with the Task Force, as well as federal and state fisheries and wildlife agencies, as the field survey work is developed and conducted.

 

RFP applications are due to MassCEC on March 31, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. 

Created by the Green Jobs Act of 2008, MassCEC’s mission is to foster growth of the Massachusetts clean energy industry through funding to companies, universities, and nonprofit organizations; job training programs; and workforce development grants. MassCEC is also home to the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust, which supports the installation of renewable energy technologies with funds provided by small renewable energy charges on electric bills. More information is available at www.MassCEC.com

 

 

Visit our website:....................................................... www.MassCEC.com 

Follow MassCEC on Twitter:........................... www.twitter.com/MassCEC

 

55 Summer Street 9^th Floor, Boston, MA 02110 — Office: (617) 315-9355 office / Fax: (617) 315-9356 or Fax@masscec.com

 

###