Baker proposes $3.5 billion bill that could make Massachusetts the leader in offshore wind

BUZZARDS BAY — The Massachusetts Maritime Academy welcomed Gov. Charlie Baker Tuesday afternoon, along with Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, and other state energy officials to talk about a $3.5 billion bill to revitalize Massachusetts in a post-pandemic world. They specifically focused on the parts of the legislation regarding clean energy investments.

Massachusetts has a vital role to play in the offshore wind industry, Baker said in comments to a group of about 80 people, half of whom are cadets at school.

“The big goal here is to make sure that we don’t miss the opportunity to be a national and, in some ways, a global leader in offshore wind,” he said. He highlighted the state’s achievements in scientific research, such as being a major player in the development of COVID-19 vaccines. He said that Massachusetts could be a hub for the transition from fossil fuel-based energy to clean energy.

After the governor asked a cadet why Tuesdays were special at the academy, (it’s the day chicken patties are served in the cafeteria), Baker spoke about new legislation filed by the Baker-Polito administration.

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FORWARD, or An Act Investing in Future Opportunities for Resiliency, Workforce, and Revitalized Downtowns, would be funded with $2.3 billion of ARPA money and about $1.256 billion in capital bond authorizations. Much of the bill focuses on using this money to strengthen infrastructure, revitalize downtowns, support climate resiliency and preservation efforts, and bolster workforce efforts such as unemployment funding.

Part of the money in the bill — $750 million — would be dedicated to clean energy, including money for higher education and workforce training for the clean energy industry.

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The offshore wind industry cannot only boost the economy by providing jobs, it could help Massachusetts to reach its net-zero emissions goal, Baker said. Currently, there are three proposals to provide 1.6 million homes across the state with energy from offshore wind, he added.

He spoke about the need for thousands of people to work in the offshore wind industry and highlighted the importance of educational institutions such as Massachusetts Maritime Academy, in training the next generation of skilled workers. In fact, part of his proposed legislation would appropriate $10 million to Massachusetts Maritime Academy for workforce training for the offshore wind industry.

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'At the forefront'

“When offshore wind began to emerge in this space where maritime meets energy, Massachusetts Maritime stood at the forefront,” Rear Admiral Francis McDonald, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, said.

Massachusetts Clean Energy Center CEO Jennifer Daloiso said a well-trained, diverse workforce would be needed since the offshore wind industry is being built right off of the South Coast.

After the speeches concluded, attendees journeyed outside to view a wind liferaft crew demonstration.

Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Bethany Card, earlier had said that she hopes education in offshore wind becomes a part of the traditional curriculum, just like rescue and sea training.

Contact Asad Jung at ajung@capecodonline.com. Follow him on Twitter: @asadjungcct.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Gov. Baker proposes $3.5 billion legislation to bolster offshore wind