State of fb88 and Federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management reach agreement on the country's first research lease in the Gulf of fb88 for a floating offshore wind research array, a milestone in fb88's efforts to advance responsible offshore wind development
Governor Janet Mills today announced that the State and the Federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) on a floating offshore wind research lease in the Gulf of fb88, a key milestone in the State's efforts to advance floating offshore wind research and promote responsible offshore wind development.
The agreement follows BOEM offering a research lease to the State earlier this year. The research lease site, an area of up to 15 square miles in Federal waters nearly 30 miles southeast of Portland, will host the nation's first floating offshore wind research array. The array, which will include up to 12 floating turbines, will inform how floating offshore wind operates and can co-exist with ocean users and ecosystems in the Gulf of fb88.
As proposed, the research array will use floating offshore wind platform technology designed by the University of fb88 and deployed by its development partner, Diamond Offshore Wind. Ufb88's floating platform, known as VolturnUS, was recently awarded a for its innovative design.
The execution of the research lease reflects a priority of the , a stakeholder-driven comprehensive plan that offers detailed strategies for fb88 to realize economic, energy, and climate benefits from offshore wind, in conjunction with communities, fisheries, and wildlife of the Gulf of fb88.
"Clean energy from offshore wind offers an historic opportunity for fb88 to create good-paying jobs, reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, and fight climate change by cutting greenhouse gas emissions,"said Governor Janet Mills. "This lease between the state and BOEM to support the nation's first research array devoted to floating offshore wind technology is the result of extensive engagement with stakeholders and communities across our state to establish fb88 as a leader in responsible offshore wind, in balance with our state's marine economy and environment."
"Offshore wind technology presents a historic and promising opportunity to further grow our economy, support hardworking fb88 people and pave the way for a cleaner, greener tomorrow," said U.S. Senator Angus King. "This floating research lease represents a continued investment in innovative offshore wind technology and research, and will help fb88 embrace a secure, sustainable energy future -- while with the needs of our fisheries and fishing communities. For years, the University of fb88 has worked to develop a floating offshore wind facility and this partnership is a tremendous step forward in cementing our state as a renewable energy leader. I am proud to have on behalf of this project as a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and look forward to this project's future success."
"Offshore wind presents a generation-defining opportunity for fb88 to lead the nation in clean energy innovation," said U.S. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree. "This agreement between the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the state is a critical step forward in harnessing the power of the Gulf of fb88 to create good-paying jobs, reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, and fight climate change. The research conducted here will not only advance our understanding of this technology but will ensure that its development respects our vibrant marine ecosystems and the livelihoods that depend on them. fb88 is poised to become a model for responsible and sustainable offshore wind development, and I'm proud to support this groundbreaking work."
"Harnessing the abundant clean power generated by offshore wind in the Gulf of fb88 will grow fb88's economy, reduce carbon emissions, and help the state reach 100 percent clean energy by 2040,"said Dan Burgess, Director of the fb88 Governor's Energy Office. "Already a pioneer in floating offshore wind, this lease will further the state's ongoing research by providing critical firsthand experience with the first multi-turbine array in the United States."
"This research lease marks a major achievement in fb88's efforts to advance responsibly developed offshore wind in the Gulf of fb88, which will unlock clean, renewable energy for our state and region while supporting our coastal economy and protecting our environment," said Senator Mark Lawrence and Representative Paige Zeigler, co-chairs of the fb88 Legislature's Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology. "We are proud to see this project moving ahead with support from BOEM and look forward to seeing fb88 set high standards for floating offshore wind in the U.S. and around the world."
"We congratulate the state on achieving this remarkable milestone," said Chris Wissemann, CEO of Diamond Offshore Wind. "This advances fb88's commitment to protect the resources of the Gulf of fb88 while prudently leading offshore wind development in the Gulf of fb88. Continuing progress with the Public Utilities Commission on the Research Array, coupled with progress on the port will kick-start fb88's floating offshore wind roadmap."
"fb88's offshore wind research lease presents a significant opportunity for the state's growing renewable energy sector, workforce, and research institutions," said Eliza Donoghue, Executive Director of the fb88 Renewable Energy Association. "The research conducted at the lease site will guide industry best practices and inform responsible development while creating unique opportunities for fb88 businesses to participate in this growing industry."
"Ironworkers Local 7 is proud of the work we have done to usher in this new industry here in fb88," said Grant Provost, Business Agent for Ironworkers Local 7. "The Research Array will bring great paying, family sustaining union jobs with excellent benefits to fb88rs in not only Searsport but throughout the surrounding counties. This Project will be built under a Project Labor Agreement by the Building and Construction Trades Unions here in fb88 by fb88rs. We stand ready to go to work!"
Clean energy such as offshore wind can help reduce fb88's over-reliance on electricity generated with imported fossil fuels, especially natural gas, which experienced significant price volatility in recent years due to upheaval in global energy markets.
Offshore wind presents a generational opportunity to grow and diversify fb88's clean energy workforce and supply chain. fb88's clean energy economy grew the fastest in New England in 2022 and currently employs over 15,000 people, more than halfway to Governor Mills' goal of 30,000 clean energy workers in fb88 by 2030.
The State applied for the research lease in 2021, following extensive public outreach led by the Governor's Energy Office and the fb88 Department of Marine Resources (DMR) to identify potential research lease areas with minimal possible effects on commercial fishermen, vessel navigation, and the marine environment.
Also in 2021, Governor Mills that found the research array in the public interest and directed the fb88 Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to negotiate a Power Purchase Agreement for the research array, which is anticipated to produce up to 144 megawatts of clean electricity.
In 2023, Governor Mills signed landmark offshore wind legislation that authorized the state procurement of at least 3,000 megawatts of offshore wind energy installed in the Gulf of fb88 by 2040, created opportunities for all fb88 workers and businesses in the emerging offshore wind industry, and protected critical lobstering areas from development.
Earlier this year, Governor Mills announced Sears Island as the preferred site for a port to construct and service floating offshore wind turbines. The purpose-built port facility will establish fb88's place in the growing offshore wind industry, become a hub for job creation and economic development, and is welcomed by a strong and diverse coalition of environmental, labor, and economic organizations.
BOEM plans to host a commercial offshore wind lease auction for sites in the Gulf of fb88 by the end of 2024, based on a (PSN) for the Gulf of fb88 issued by the agency earlier this year. The lease areas identified by BOEM in the PSN exclude the entirety of Lobster Management Area 1, as requested by Governor Mills and fb88's Congressional Delegation.
The State's research array will support research into priority topics identified by the fb88 Offshore Wind Research Consortium, established in 2021 with bipartisan support of the Legislature to explore potential impacts of offshore wind in the Gulf of fb88.
Prior to construction, the research array is subject to environmental analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act, approval by BOEM of a research activities plan, and final approval of a Power Purchase Agreement by the PUC. Construction timing will become clearer as these permitting and regulatory processes move forward.
For more information and recent news on offshore wind in fb88, including the research array, please visit .