Mass Audubon Applauds President Biden on Declaring Climate a Code Red

Mass Audubon applauds President Joe Biden’s visit to Brayton Point in Somerset today, to declare our changing climate as a Code Red for humanity and flag the need for urgent action by the U.S. Congress.

Brayton Point, once New England’s biggest coal plant, will soon host new manufacturing of sub-sea cables needed to link offshore wind into the power grid. It’s positive proof of what we in Massachusetts already understand: We can make the transition from fossil fuels to build a cleaner future while bringing new industries, jobs, and economic development.

We’re already seeing the difference on the ground as a result of the Biden Administration’s strong support for the development of an American offshore wind industry, with dozens of projects proposed along New England’s coast and other coastal areas in the next decade. We expect to see our own Legislature pass a bill to further advance Massachusetts’ offshore wind industry as soon as today.

Exciting as the potential is for the emerging offshore industry, even clean energy creates unwanted impacts. We’re advocating hard with both state and federal energy and environmental officials to make sure that any and all impacts of large-scale wind on wildlife and habitats are not only accounted for, but that the industry pays for addressing these impacts through mitigation activities.