The governors of the three states say the new memorandum of understanding will create the opportunity for regional cooperation and economic benefits by seeking multi-state proposals from wind project developers. They’re also calling the MOU is the first of its kind in the United States.
“Offshore wind is an important resource in meeting our Act on Climate and renewable energy goals, Governor Dan McKee said, in a statement, referencing a state law he signed in 2021.
He also noted that the regional collaboration will secure cost benefits for ratepayers and help Rhode Island meet its mandates for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
Rhode Island Energy is in the process of developing an offshore wind Request For Proposal under the States Affordable Clean Energy Security Act. The company will be seeking proposals of approximately 1,200 megawatts of new offshore wind capacity, according to the statement from the governor’s office. The RFP should be posted in mid- to late-October.
David Bidwell, a social scientist and professor of marine affairs at URI, says he sees another advantage to the three states collaborating.
“By and large, people like to have energy produced near them and consumed in the places where it’s produced. And by creating a collaboration among these three small states, you can create more of a regional identity for the offshore wind industry,” Bidwell said.
“What this MOU offers is an opportunity for efficiencies on both the side of the state governments and the developers,” Bidwell said. “From the perspective of the state government, this allows them to maybe have some common issues in terms of negotiating projects or in the kinds of things that they ask for in projects from the developers. From the developer perspective, this gives them an opportunity for developing fewer bids or projects that they might propose to meet the requirements or the desires of the states.”
Bidwell sees the MOU as a starting point.
“What I will say is the proof of the pudding is always in the eating,” he said. “So it remains to be seen how this will be implemented and what kinds of benefits it will provide to the states. And whether this initial collaboration can result in more efficiencies and more collaboration moving forward.”
Newport Bureau Reporter Cheryl Hatch can be reached at chatch@thepublicsradio.org.
