The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) recently had a public comment period regarding Vineyard Wind’s plan to install an offshore wind facility south of Martha’s Vineyard. The CCTC Infrastructure Committee and Board of Directors approved sending comments to BOEM in favor of the project.
July 27, 2020
Program Manager
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
45600 Woodland Road (VAM)
Sterling, Virginia 20166
Re: Vineyard Wind Offshore Energy LLC Offshore Energy Proposed Wind Energy Facility
Docket No. BOEM-2020-0005
Dear Sir or Madam,
The Cape Cod Technology Council, Inc. (“CCTC”) submits this comment in response to the Bureau’s request for public comment following the release of the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) for the Vineyard Wind Offshore Energy LLC Offshore Energy Proposed Wind Energy Facility (the “Vineyard Wind Project”). I am writing to express the support of the CCTC for Vineyard Wind Project.
Founded in 1996, the CCTC is a membership based non-profit organization whose mission is to promote technology, education and economic development on Cape Cod, the Islands, and Southeastern Massachusetts. Our membership includes local Cape, Islands, and Southeastern Massachusetts businesses, technology innovators, educational organizations, government entities, working professionals, and community leaders.
The CCTC supports the development of innovative solutions to meet the anticipated energy needs of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. One of the most promising of these solutions is wind energy. The Vineyard Wind project has the potential to meeting these needs while advancing the state of wind energy technology. The CCTC notes Vineyard Wind Project has been extensively reviewed in a process that has involved dozens of hearings and hundreds of comments.
Approval of the Vineyard Wind Project offers significant benefits. It has been estimated that the Vineyard Wind Project has projected to generate more than 3,600 jobs and to reduce costs to taxpayers by an estimated $1.4 billion. Most significantly, the Vineyard Wind Project will generate, clean renewable energy while reducing significantly carbon emissions. The SDEIS documents significant potential for adverse consequence that If the Vineyard Wind Project is not approved.
Appropriately sited and implemented off-shore wind projects, such as Vineyard Wind offer long-term energy and economic benefits and support of these efforts is consistent with the mission of the CCTC. The CCTC appreciates your consideration of our views. Please contact us if you have any questions.
Respectfully,
Jennifer Reid, President