Transformative Jobs, Education, and Economic Development Package Tied to Massachusetts’ Offshore Wind Bids

On September 16^th, SouthCoast Wind submitted a series of proposals, each with an accompanying economic development package, in response to the Massachusetts Section 83C III offshore wind energy solicitation. Under the largest scenario, which involves interconnecting 1,200 megawatts (MWs) at Brayton Point, SouthCoast is committed to spend up to $81 million on economic development efforts across the SouthCoast. The spending plan would support the building of the offshore wind supply chain; provide for education and training of an offshore wind workforce; make significant investments in local ports, businesses, and infrastructure; as well as offer diversity, equity, and inclusion measures that include the hiring of specialized firms and support for low-income electric consumers, among other measures.

“SouthCoast Wind is committed to Massachusetts and the SouthCoast,” said Michael Brown, CEO of SouthCoast Wind. “The bids we submitted were formulated after months of conversations with local stakeholders who shared with us their vision for the future of the offshore wind industry. We took those conversations very seriously and developed packages that incorporate their feedback and support each of their diverse groups,” he added.

These collaborative engagement efforts are highlighted by the nearly 90 letters of support that were included in the bid proposals, many of which come from local community organizations and business organizations such as the South Coast LGBTQ+ Network, Buzzards Bay Area Habitat for Humanity, Fall River Redevelopment Authority, New Bedford Economic Development Council, and the One SouthCoast Chamber, among others.

Among the benefits of a successful bid is the establishment of an operations and maintenance (O&M) port in Fall River at the Borden & Remington Ironworks complex. Stull and Lee Inc., an award-winning architecture, urban design and planning firm is playing a key role in the planning of this redevelopment. SouthCoast Wind will have regular office hours at its 99 South Main Street, Fall River location, for interested individuals and groups to stop by, meet with staff and learn more about the project and opportunities with the company, subject in the short-term to COVID rules including advance reservations and indoor masking. The office is a short commute to the proposed O&M port and the home dock of SouthCoast’s crew boats in New Bedford. To learn more about SouthCoast’s work in the area, we urge you to visit our new SouthCoast Wind 1 page.

Talking About Industry Careers with Mass Maritime Cadets

SouthCoast team members Kelsey Perry and William Cotta (pictured above) attended a career fair at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy on September 30th. The event was a great opportunity to talk to students at all grade levels about the promising future of offshore wind energy, and how their marine related studies could give them a strong advantage in the emerging industry.

Buzzards Bay Area Habitat for Humanity ground breaking

Support Energy Efficient Homes with Buzzards Bay Area Habitat for Humanity

SouthCoast Wind is proud to announce our partnership with the Buzzards Bay Area Habitat for Humanity (BBAHFH). BBAHFH is breaking ground on their latest property in Westport, the site of a soon-to-be “passive house” duplex, utilizing cutting edge energy-efficient technology and ecological design. Once complete, this home will offer affordable, comfortable, and environmentally responsible housing to low-income families in the Buzzards Bay area.

SouthCoast Wind is proud to match up to $50,000 in donations made toward this project.

We encourage you to contribute to this matched donation campaign by clicking here. Your support will help local families build homes.

Gearing Up for the Mayflower Wind Cape Cod Marathon

We’re only a few weeks away from the 2021 Mayflower Wind Cape Cod Marathon Weekend, taking place October 30-31 in Falmouth, Massachusetts. This event, produced by the Falmouth Running Club, will feature numerous events such as a full marathon, a marathon relay, a half marathon, 5k, 1-Miler, free Kids Fun Run and the Clam Chowdah Challenge that totals 39.3 miles over 2 days. Taking place at the height of fall foliage, these events run along Vineyard Sound and the beautiful coastal roads of the Cape. If you’re interested in participating in any of the weekend’s events, register here.

“We are excited to be partnering with Mayflower Wind as the Title Sponsor of the 2021 Cape Cod Marathon,” said Jack Afarian, President of the Falmouth Running Club and Race Director of the Mayflower Wind Cape Cod Marathon Weekend. “We believe that Mayflower Wind’s values align well with ours and we look forward to working with them to make our event even better and to continue to support the Falmouth Community”.

You can read more about the Mayflower Wind Cape Cod Marathon here. We hope to see you there!

Surveys Continue Data Collection into Fall

Multiple vessels are continuing to conduct geophysical & geotechnical (G&G) surveys within federal and state waters in Mount Hope Bay, Sakonnet River, and Rhode Island Sound. G&G surveys provide critical data about the seafloor and subsea conditions for evaluation in the project design and permitting process.

We post weekly updates to the survey area and vessel operating schedule on SouthCoast Wind’s Mariners page. We encourage boaters to maintain a safe distance of 0.5 nm from the vessels as their maneuverability may be significantly restricted.

Real Time Metocean Data Available

SouthCoast Wind has partnered with the Northeastern Regional Association of Coastal Ocean Observing Systems (NERACOOS) to share real-time weather and ocean data collected by the buoy for mariners and the scientific community to use. NERACOOS mission is to produce, integrate, and communicate high quality information that helps ensure safety, economic and environmental resilience, and sustainable use of the coastal ocean. SouthCoast Wind’s floating buoy data will help to support these efforts and help to inform other research efforts in the Atlantic region. Visit NERACOOS to view the data!

Project News – October