Rhode Island has introduced legislation for the procurement of 600MW of offshore wind capacity.
If enacted, Rhode Island’s primary utility company would be required to issue the procurement no later than 15 August 2022.
“As home to the nation’s first offshore wind farm, Rhode Island is a pioneer in the blue economy,” said Governor Dan McKee.
He added: “Offshore wind represents one of the best opportunities for Rhode Island to scale up its clean energy resources in order to meet our greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals.
“Expanding our offshore wind resources will further our state’s position as the North American hub for industry activity, attracting new investment and job growth opportunities across the green economy.”
The state is home to North America’s first operational offshore wind farm (Block Island) and, in 2019, received a critical state approval for the 400MW Revolution Wind offshore project.
The latest effort is in line with the 2021 Act on Climate, signed by McKee last April.
An additional 600MW of offshore wind would further expand the state’s clean energy portfolio, with the potential to meet 30% of Rhode Island’s estimated 2030 electricity demand.
Including the 30MW Block Island Wind farm and the planned 400MW Revolution Wind project, offshore wind would cover 50% of the state’s projected energy needs.
The Governor’s proposed legislation (S-2583 and H-7971), sponsored by Senator Dawn Euer, would also require offshore wind developers to provide information on potential environmental impacts through the submittal of an environmental and fisheries mitigation plan; estimates of local economic benefits; a diversity, equity and inclusion plan; and a plan outlining the bidder’s intentions with respect to the negotiation of a project labour agreement(s) to cover construction activities.
Any proposed offshore wind contract would require review by the Office of Energy Resources, the Department of Environmental Management, and Rhode Island Commerce in the form of agency advisory opinions.
Such contracts would also have to be filed with the Public Utilities Commission for review and approval, including opportunities for public comment.