Massachusetts joins with neighboring states in pursuit of offshore wind. What that means.

Massachusetts is joining forces with its neighboring states in a first-of-its-kind agreement to collaborate on offshore wind development.

The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources and Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Resources on Tuesday entered a memorandum of understanding that lays the groundwork for coordinated selection of offshore wind projects in the states' pursuit of clean energy generating goals.

Gov. Maura Healey officially announced the agreement Wednesday during a morning session on the third and final day of the American Clean Power Association’s Offshore WINDPOWER Conference in Boston.

The three states are inviting offshore wind developers to submit multi-state offshore wind project proposals, totaling up to 6,000 megawatts, which would be considered through each state's offshore wind procurements for selection in 2024.

What are the plans for multi-state offshore wind proposals?

Project selections will depend on each state's assessments of the project costs, benefits to ratepayers and other evaluation criteria. Any two or three of the states can agree to choose multi-state proposals up to each states’ procurement authority and will divide the anticipated megawatts and renewable energy certificates from selected projects.

What is the goal of a multi-state proposal?

The aim is to expand benefits for the region and bring in viable, at-scale projects that can take advantage of cost reductions, boost regional economic development, create jobs, and promote environmental justice and equity.

"The offshore wind industry is critically important to our future — the future of our state, our country and our planet," Healey told those gathered at the WINDPOWER conference in prepared remarks that were shared with the Times on Wednesday morning.

She characterized offshore wind development as "the backbone of our clean energy vision" and "a key piece of our economic strategy."

"As I have said before, I want to maintain and extend our region’s lead. We have a strong start, with Vineyard Wind, America’s first utility-scale offshore wind farm," Healey remarked. "But we know there is much more to be done, to keep this industry growing and transition to a clean energy future."

The Vineyard Wind wind farm is under construction south of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, and will bring its electricity ashore via cables that will land on the Barnstable shoreline.

Offshore wind developers have encountered rough waters, they say

It's been a rough row to hoe for offshore wind developers. The developers say that they have been troubled by supply chain issues, rising costs tied to the war in Ukraine, inflation, rising interest rates and burgeoning worldwide interest in offshore wind development that's increased competition for materials and specialized construction vessels.

In March, Avangrid chose to end its previously awarded contract with the state for its 1,200 megawatt Commonwealth Wind project because the terms, taken together with the economic situation, made it no longer viable. The company will instead take its chances with seeking a new contract for the project.

More recently, SouthCoast Wind, a joint venture between Shell New Energies and Ocean Winds North America, similarly terminated its contracts for its SouthCoast Wind 1 and SouthCoast Wind 2 projects totaling 1,200 megawatts, also with an eye toward seeking new agreements.

Commonwealth Wind proposes to bring power cables ashore at Dowses Beach in Barnstable, and SouthCoast has eyed landings in Falmouth. Both proposals have raised concerns among residents who, while they generally support the production of clean energy, feel strongly there are better options for bringing power ashore and routing it to the New England grid than through Cape Cod shoreline ecosystems and residential neighborhoods.

Where are all the offshore wind farms to be built?

The federal government has designated a swath of ocean south of Martha's Vineyard, on the shallow continental shelf, for offshore wind farms. Many have suggested it makes sense to streamline the routes power conduits follow from the various wind lease areas, and to bring them ashore at already industrial sites, such as the former Brayton Point power station in Somerset.

On Aug. 30, Massachusetts issued its fourth offshore wind solicitation and is taking bids for up to 3,600 megawatts of power generated in offshore waters, equivalent to 25% of the total annual electricity demand in the state, according to the governor's office.

Meanwhile, Rhode Island is working on completing its own offshore wind request for proposals under that state’s Affordable Clean Energy Security Act with an eye toward soliciting about 1,200 megawatts of new offshore wind capacity. The state is expected to post its request for proposals in mid- to late October.

Connecticut released a draft request for proposals in late July and is presently developing its final request for proposal. That state is looking at a bid deadline of Jan. 31, and is soliciting up to 1,196 megawatts of new offshore wind capacity.

Goal: Accelerate the development of transmission infrastructure

A key goal of the states' partnership, according to Healey, "is to accelerate the development of transmission infrastructure to unlock offshore wind and other clean energy resources."

In May, the Bay State submitted an application to the U.S. Department of Energy for up to $250 million "to help fund upgrades to the onshore transmission system," she noted. An award decision is expected soon, and the state is looking to submit applications in additional funding rounds.

Since the power grids and economies of the region are interconnected, the success of clean energy development here will require collaboration, Healey pointed out.

"The truth is, building out offshore wind to the scale that our states need and want requires a regional approach, supported by our federal partners,"she said.

Ultimately, she concluded, "climate action is not only our biggest challenge, it is an unparalleled, generational opportunity. It’s an opportunity to create good jobs, revitalize local and regional economies, reduce energy price volatility, improve public health, and secure environmental justice for communities that were harmed in the past," she said.

Heather McCarron writes about climate change, environment, energy, science and the natural world, in addition to news and features in Barnstable and Brewster. Reach her at hmccarron@capecodonline.com.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Offshore wind: Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut team up