Wind farm Public meeting information and public comment opportunity

If you are fed up with higher electricity prices, and exceedingly egregious mandates from climate change alarmists in state and federal government, you might want to keep reading.

While offshore wind development has been a discussion in our state for decades, it’s only recently that we’ve seen it materialize off our beaches as the first wind factory is currently being erected off the coast of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. With fewer than half the turbines in place for the project, we’ve already seen the first catastrophic event take place as one of the 351 foot turbine blades broke off and littered the ocean below with shards of fiberglass and Styrofoam. The blade broke off on July 13th and its remains still sit at the bottom of the ocean. Neither the Biden nor Healey administrations have done anything to hold this industry accountable, despite its unmeasured environmental consequences and lack of action plan for blade brakes which seems to be a trend for this turbine company.

Despite this event and other questionable events related to the stunning loss of marine life around offshore wind sonar surveying and pile driving sites, the Healey administration and state climate zealots are pushing forward, full steam ahead.

What was once a promising prospect for affordable, renewable energy is aging so poorly that two of these foreign wind companies backed out of their contracts due to massive cost increases. For the most recent and largest offshore wind project solicitation occurring earlier this year, we received only three bids and all talk about cost was redacted from the public. You read that correctly. They are set to reveal their bid selection on September 6th after a month-long delay. With the price cap lifted by the Massachusetts legislature a couple of years ago, there is no telling how much this latest project will costs Massachusetts taxpayers and ratepayers, but if other parts of the east coast are any indication, we could be in for massive sticker shock in our electrical bills.

TAKE ACTION: This is where you need to make your voice heard!

The Massachusetts Interagency Offshore Wind Council (IOWC) is tasked by the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, to “advance the responsible development and operation of offshore wind to meet our ambitious climate goals through coordination and input from stakeholders and communities.” They will be hosting online public meetings on the yet to be shared, draft Offshore Wind Strategic Plan’s recommendations, including the strategies and actions to achieve the Plan’s goals. On Wednesday, September 4th a public comment period begins, and on Wednesday, September 11th and Thursday September 12th, IOWC is holding two virtual public information meetings with time for public comment:
September Public Information Meetings and Comment Period:

• September 4: Comment Period Begins

• September 11: Public Information Meeting – 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

• September 12: Public Information Meeting – 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

September 18 by 5:00 p.m.: Comment Deadline
 
Want to Submit Written Comments?
The IOWC is also accepting written comments through 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 18. If you would like to send your written comments about the direction of offshore wind in our state, please send them here: jmintz@vhb.com.
 
Want to listen to their presentation and give comment at their Virtual Public Hearings?
As they state, “The purpose of these public information meetings will be for interested parties to learn about the progress of the IOWC, outreach efforts to date, draft Strategic Plan recommendations, and timeline for completion. There will also be an opportunity for brief public comments (2-3 minutes per person).” If you would like to voice your concerns about offshore wind, you must register to access these meetings. You can do that here (https://vhb.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VH8UTKuWSimJBYILS9zjGQ).
 
The IOWC is responsible for developing an Offshore Wind Strategic Plan. “The Strategic Plan: (1) will assess and describe the current status of the offshore wind industry in the Commonwealth and the region, existing legal and policy frameworks, and progress to date; (2) identify key drivers, gaps and needs, and findings relating to offshore wind development; and (3) lay out a long-term vision for offshore wind and recommend specific actions and strategies necessary to advance offshore wind by 2040.”

It's important that you voice your concerns because if they hear no opposition, they will continue to insist there is none. There are many reasons to question the full court press being used to rapidly develop offshore wind off our coast. You don’t need to be a policy expert to weigh in, as everyday taxpayers are the ones subsidizing these new expensive energy source. Ultimately, this project is not about fighting climate change as the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management BOEM has already stated that Vineyard Wind 1 project will have negligible effects on climate change, it’s about paying more to feel good and enriching a certain energy sector.

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