Washington, D.C. — This week, the first turbine foundation of Vineyard Wind’s offshore wind project off the coast of Massachusetts was installed. Turn Forward, a nonprofit advocacy organization, celebrated this critical milestone for U.S. offshore wind energy and praised the federal, state, industry, conservation, labor, and community leaders who have championed offshore wind in Massachusetts for more than a decade.
“Turn Forward applauds the leadership and collaboration that made this historic milestone in the launch of a critical new clean energy chapter for America possible,” said Stephanie McClellan, Executive Director of Turn Forward. “Vineyard Wind I is worth celebrating for many reasons — from reducing pollution and stabilizing energy markets for consumers, to driving transformational economic development opportunities for local labor and communities. Southern New England workers and families are contributing to and now sharing in offshore wind’s success. This week’s construction milestone is just the beginning of what offshore wind can bring to communities across America.”
Once constructed, Vineyard Wind 1 will be the first utility scale offshore wind project producing clean power for America — enough to power more than 400,000 Massachusetts homes and businesses. This exciting moment is the culmination of years of analysis, planning, and leadership by both federal and state policymakers to advance the leasing, permitting, and contracting needed to bring offshore wind projects to life.
In partnership with labor leaders like the Massachusetts Building Trades Union, Vineyard Wind is creating hundreds of union, family-sustaining jobs and making record investments in workforce and apprenticeship programs to create an offshore wind workforce. Partnerships like this are critical as the offshore wind industry grows exponentially in the United States in the coming years.
Even more Americans will experience the transformational benefits of offshore wind as the industry scales to meet our nation’s climate and clean energy goals in a way that delivers environmental, workforce, and equity benefits. Offshore wind is expected to create upwards of 77,000 good-paying jobs and bring tens of millions of dollars in investments to local communities — all while helping to reduce pollution, keep our air and water clean, and provide a new source of American-produced energy to help stabilize energy costs and power 10 million homes within the next decade.
Turn Forward is an independent, non-profit advocacy organization dedicated to advancing an ambitious vision for American offshore wind power that meets today’s climate, economic, equity, and environmental challenges. For media inquiries, please reach out to avery@turnforward.org