MARCH 10, 2021 – SouthCoast Wind, the developer of an offshore wind project to be located over 30 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard and 20 miles south of Nantucket, has named Mashpee native Kelsey Perry as its Community Liaison Officer.
Perry brings with her several years of experience in the environmental sector and a deep affection for Cape Cod and its citizens. Perry holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry with a minor in Business Management from Clark University in Worcester, MA, and a Master of Science degree in Sustainability Science from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
“We’re very excited to have Kelsey on board,” said Seth Kaplan, Director of External Affairs at SouthCoast Wind. “Her passion for the environment, commitment to renewable energy initiatives and deep ties to both the people and environment of the Cape, make her the perfect fit for this position.”
Perry’s work experience includes the Cape and Islands Self-Reliance, where she worked on various projects including the Town of Falmouth’s Climate Protection Action Plan, the Urban Agriculture and Innovation Production grant with the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s (WHOI) EnergyStar portfolio. Prior to that, Perry worked with the UMass Clean Energy Extension as a greenhouse gas emissions analyst.
During her undergraduate program, Perry worked with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution as a lab assistant under Senior Scientist, Ben Van Mooy. Her work was on the lipidomics of plankton and the roles of lipids in processes like biogeochemical pathways.
“Working at WHOI was a dream, my most prized academic experience in fact. It was during my time at WHOI that I really developed a sense of urgency to address the crisis of climate change and decided to return to school,” said Perry.
Perry believes that bridging the gap between science and technological innovations, and local communities is essential to inspire change that will ultimately reduce environmental harm.
“My role at SouthCoast Wind allows me to be on the ground in Falmouth to listen to the needs and concerns of the community,” says Perry. “My goal is to provide information and respond to all questions to ensure that everyone can make informed decisions about offshore wind and understand the benefits this renewable energy source will bring to Falmouth, the Cape and Islands and the climate as a whole.”
Perry was born and raised in Mashpee on Cape Cod. She graduated from Mashpee High School. The roots that tie her to the Cape are intergenerational, as both of her parents grew up there as well.
“My mother grew up in Bourne and is a special needs educator for Plymouth Public Schools, and my father is a Falmouth High School graduate and owns his own plumbing business,” says Perry. “Growing up on Cape Cod allowed me to connect to our oceans and wildlife from a very young age.”
SouthCoast Wind, a 50/50 joint venture between Shell New Energies and Ocean Winds, is developing an offshore wind lease area with the potential to supply over 2 gigawatts (GW) of low-cost clean energy to the electricity customers of New England. We are committed to safety first and safety always, innovation and industry development, and investing in our local communities.
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Joyce McMahon
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