Massachusetts and Rhode Island have signed off approval to build a 1,200 megawatt wind farm off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard, Greentech Media reported.
The wind farm could be the largest ever constructed in the U.S. Massachusetts awarded a contract to Vineyard Wind to supply 800 megawatts of power to the state. Rhode Island commissioned another 400 megawatts from Deepwater Wind, which runs the only offshore wind farm operating in the U.S.
“Massachusetts and Rhode Island are ready to pioneer large-scale offshore wind development that will light the way for our industry and nation,” American Wind Energy Association, an industry interest group, CEO Tom Kiernan said in a statement. “With world-class wind resources, infrastructure and offshore energy expertise, the U.S. is primed to scale up this industry and lead it.”
The Massachusetts wind farm alone could be made up of more than 100 turbines, The Boston Globe reports.
Both states are strongly in favor of renewable energy over more traditional fuel sources. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke is currently crafting a five-year plan for leasing offshore areas — including off the coasts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island — to oil and gas companies. (RELATED: Trump To Propose Opening Nearly All US Waters To Oil And Gas Drilling)
The governors in both states have requested Zinke remove their respective states from consideration. Zinke has repeatedly said he considers local views and seemed to agree with the governors. Waters off Massachusetts contain little, if any, oil or natural gas, he told lawmakers.
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