Massachusetts and Nova Scotia issued a request for information Nov. 12 to gather input on developing offshore wind projects in Nova Scotia that would send power to New England through existing and new transmission infrastructure. The Healey-Driscoll administration announced the request in a press release.
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston and Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper were scheduled to speak about the request at the New England-Canada Business Council's annual energy conference in Boston on Nov. 12. Healey and Houston signed a memorandum of understanding in February, and the release calls the request an early, concrete step under it.
What the request seeks
The request was issued with participation from Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Vermont. It invites input from developers, supply chain and port entities, utilities and system operators, labor organizations, academic and research institutions, environmental and fisheries stakeholders, and tribal and first nations groups.
According to the release, the responses will help the region understand the market's interest and capacity to develop offshore wind in Nova Scotia, and the technical and commercial feasibility of transmission pathways to New England. The request will also explore ways to work together on supply chains, ports and workforce development.
Responses are due by 5 p.m. Eastern on Dec. 31, according to the request for information. The document asks about two delivery options: a new subsea high-voltage direct current cable to New England, and power carried through Quebec or New Brunswick on existing, upgraded or new transmission. The release does not say how many projects are under consideration, what size they would be or who would pay for transmission.
The request says it is intended "for information gathering purposes only" and does not commit either party to any course of action or to any future procurement.
Statements from officials
"We need more affordable, reliable energy, and that's going to take working with our neighbors," Healey said. She said the work "has the potential to lower energy costs, strengthen our energy supply and create good-paying jobs in our port communities."
Houston said Nova Scotia "has some of the strongest offshore wind resources in the world and a long history of supplying energy beyond our borders."
Elizabeth Mahony, commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, said the state's partnership with Nova Scotia "is poised to unlock real savings and economic development for the Atlantic Coast." Frank Callahan, president of the Massachusetts Building Trades Unions, said the unions saw Vineyard Wind "sustain thousands of good jobs along the South Coast."
Kerrick Johnson, commissioner of the Vermont Department of Public Service, said Vermont has also signed its own memorandum of understanding with Nova Scotia to explore offshore wind development and delivery through Vermont. Chris Kearns, acting commissioner of the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources, said the request will help the state understand "the infrastructure, costs and regulatory considerations associated with delivering that energy into New England."
