Until recently, Connecticut had been a leader on climate initiatives, air quality and renewable energy. Sadly, our neighbors have taken the lead, prioritizing solar and wind and making needed infrastructure investments for the future.
Our state now has an opportunity to again position itself as a leader with the deployment of offshore wind technology in the region. It would be ill-advised to delay a decision on Offshore Wind because of the current debate on electric rates.
In fact, offshore wind presents both cost-saving and energy reliability opportunities for Connecticut. According to a study by Synapse Energy Economics Inc., building offshore wind–including the costs of construction–can actually help keep electric rates from rising and offer a measure of cost savings to ratepayers. Further, the report found that offshore wind deployment would cut 42% of annual CO2 emissions from the New England power sector (14 million short tons of CO2).
In the Winter months, when natural gas supplies are constrained, offshore wind expansion would actually help to protect against the volatility in natural gas prices by serving as a critical, additional source of electricity.
As members of the Connecticut Coalition for Climate Action, a broad-based group of more than 40 organizations (including health care providers, scientists, environmental organizations, religious groups, renewable energy, business, justice and other entities) representing over 300,000 members, we urge Connecticut to move forward with its selection of the tri-state offshore wind project to add this essential renewable energy resource to the options in our energy portfolio.
We must continue to work toward long-term policies that stem energy price volatility for residents and businesses alike–accessing fixed priced, clean energy like offshore wind, helps move us closer to that goal.
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