Offshore Wind Projects Should Be Shelved in the Best Interest of Ratepayers
Boston, MA – The Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance made the following statement this morning in response to Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum’s morning announcement that all offshore wind project construction will be halted citing national security concerns.
National media is reporting, the Department of Interior listed five leases that will be paused: Vineyard Wind1, Revolution Wind, CVOW, Sunrise Wind, and Empire Wind. According to an exclusive interview this morning with Maria Bartiromo, Secretary Burgum described the cost to ratepayers in addition to national security risks. Paraphrased, he said, “this is the most expensive electricity being produced in our country… In some cases, are 5-10 times more expensive than traditional, reliable, secure American sources like natural gas… This is a self-inflicted pricing issue for residents that live in that part of the country (New England). Other parts of the country where electricity prices are 1/3 that they are in New England for example.”
“The number one priority of government is to protect its people. Secretary Burgum announced all offshore wind project construction will be paused, citing national security concerns. Secretary Burgum is also right to note the high cost of offshore wind electricity. Unfortunately, Massachusetts State House leaders removed the ‘price cap’ for offshore wind projects that once helped deter ratepayers from getting a bad deal and further passed into law offshore wind mandates as part of the implementation of the NetZero by 2050 roadmap that completely removed any cost concerns for ratepayers all together. Governor Maura Healey and her administration have championed offshore wind but that doesn’t change the fact that it is one of the most expensive forms of energy in America. Massachusetts and New England ratepayers desperately need inexpensive, clean, reliable, American natural gas to help drive down costs, not more expensive offshore wind energy and arbitrary climate mandates,” stated Paul D. Craney, Executive Director of Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance.
The Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance advocates for fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability in state government and increased economic opportunity for the people of our Commonwealth.