Ben Hellerstein backs Vineyard Wind project

Offshore wind could power Massachusetts to new renewable energy heights, and Environment Massachusetts Research & Policy Center is working to take it to the next level.

On Jan. 22, we submitted a letter to the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) in support of the proposed Vineyard Wind offshore wind project. The planned project is an offshore wind farm, sited more than 14 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard, with the capacity to generate enough energy to power 400,000 homes. The letter referenced our report “Wind Power to Spare,” which showed that offshore wind could meet Massachusetts’ power needs eight times over.

“Massachusetts’ offshore wind resources give us confidence that a future powered by 100 percent clean, renewable energy is feasible,” wrote Environment Massachusetts Research & Policy Center State Director Ben Hellerstein. “When we achieve 100 percent renewable energy, our air will be cleaner, our communities will be healthier, and we’ll be doing our part on climate change.”

Photo: Block Island Wind Farm in Rhode Island, an example of what Vineyard Wind could be. Credit: Ionna22 via Wikimedia commons SA-by 4.0.