Statement in response to Gov. Healey’s announcement of Mass. offshore wind procurement

“Governor Healey’s announcement today of Massachusetts commitment to procure nearly 2,700 MW of new offshore wind capacity is a welcome development. To reach our state and regional climate goals, we must ramp up production of clean energy, and do so quickly. New England is uniquely blessed with massive potential for offshore wind, and it will play an essential role in cleaning up our electricity,” said Michelle Manion, Mass Audubon’s Vice President of Policy and Advocacy. 

While we support this initiative, we and our partners believe developers of offshore wind and other forms of clean energy must be required to fund mitigation efforts to lessen negative impacts on nature and wildlife caused by development.

“We look forward to working with wind developers and state wildlife officials to design and implement cost-effective strategies to use these funds to protect coastal habitats and protect our shorebird populations. We know that climate change itself is the biggest threat to these birds. Using wind mitigation funds wisely can be a game-changer for piping plovers, Roseate terns, and other wildlife in the face of a changing climate,” says Jocelyn Forbush, Mass Audubon’s Chief Conservation Officer.

We know that the recent turbine accident on the Vineyard Wind I project raised many questions about the viability and safety of offshore wind. Our coastal waterbird team has been closely monitoring beaches affected by debris landings from this accident for any impacts to the birds. All energy technologies have inherent risks, but we must recognize that the ongoing use of fossil fuel energy by far poses the greatest threat to humans, habitats, and wildlife. We also insist that industry must act safely and responsibly. We urge the state to ensure that as this new slate of projects is deployed, developers have in place comprehensive, publicly available emergency response plans and protocols, clear and transparent communication channels to notify state officials and the public about any impacts and risks, and adhere to best practices for installation, operations, and ongoing maintenance. Offshore wind is a major source of carbon-free power in Europe, and done responsibly, there’s every reason for it to play the same role here.