Opinion: New London at center of vital emerging American energy industry

Connecticut’s first offshore wind project, Revolution Wind, is under construction today, with the wind turbine components being staged out of New London State Pier. As the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, or DEEP, considers which offshore wind project should follow Revolution Wind, it should look to maximize the role that State Pier will play in the state and region’s offshore wind future, helping to secure investment and employment opportunities for our community for many years to come.Among the projects being considered by DEEP, the proposed Starboard Wind project stands out not only for the huge amount of clean offshore wind power it would deliver to Connecticut – enough to power over 600,000 homes in the state – but also for its commitment to the State Pier. Ørsted, the company that’s currently building Revolution Wind, has pledged to use the State Pier for turbine staging and assembly of Starboard Wind. That would build upon the economic revitalization we are already seeing in New London and the broader region as a direct result of offshore wind. Starboard Wind’s planned investments would extend beyond the wind turbine components and State Pier itself, and into the very heart of our communities.A section of a wind turbine is unloaded at the State Pier in New London on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Each turbine is made up of four sections. (Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant)The waters off southern New England are among the most advantageous in the world for offshore wind. Residents of New London are excited about the opportunity to play a central role in the development of this new American energy industry. Ørsted has already demonstrated its dedication to our community through the more than $100 million it invested in State Pier with its partner Eversource. Working together, we have transformed this vital state asset into a state-of-the-art offshore wind hub and created 250 union jobs for building and operating the pier.The transformation of our State Pier has been impressive, with workers busy today staging and assembling turbine components for Revolution Wind and cranes once again dotting our waterfront. The Pier already made history for its role in South Fork Wind, the country’s first commercial-scale wind project, which completed construction earlier this year and is delivering power to New York. Starboard Wind would create more jobs in Connecticut, including at the State Pier, and bring an estimated $420 million of direct investment and expenditure to our state.Four developers submit offshore wind proposals. Here’s how it impacts CT.The improvements to the State Pier go beyond offshore wind too – just last month the Connecticut Port Authority, together with Ørsted, applied to utilize federal funds to install shore power at the Pier. This would enable equipped vessels to plug in to the electric grid when docked instead of burning fuel aboard, improving air quality in New London and reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions.The selection of Connecticut’s next offshore wind project will shape the future of our community and our state. This decision is not merely about selecting a developer or a particular project; it’s about setting the stage for sustainable growth and long-term prosperity for southeastern Connecticut. Make no mistake, the benefits of Starboard Wind would be felt in New London for decades to come.Michael Passero is the mayor of New London, Conn.

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