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Wind on State Lands
The Patrick Administration has completed an analysis of wind potential on state lands. The report finds up to 946 MW of wind power potential on state properties, the majority of which are owned by the Department of Conservation and Recreation and are protected under Article 97 (XCVII) of the Massachusetts Constitution. Some sites may be appropriate for wind energy projects, but the majority of state owned Article 97 lands were acquired for a specific public purpose and have important wildlife and ecological values that would be compromised by the siting of power generation. All state lands, including highway properties and no longer used hospitals, should be included in analysis of wind potential on public lands. Currently only Article 97 lands are well mapped, leading analysis to these sites. The report also covers solar, biomass, geothermal, hydropower, and gains that can be made by increased energy efficiency.
MassGIS hosts a wind viewer. Zoom in to see specific sites, wind maps, rare species habitat, important bird areas, wetlands, and other datalayers across the state.
The Administration commissioned a report analyzing renewable energy potential in Massachusetts. Technical potential for wind is 7,800 MW including offshore, biomass 240 MW, river 30 MW, ocean 180 MW, and solar between 8,700-12,900 MW.
For more information, read about our work on Massachusetts siting criteria.
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