Governor Dan McKee of Rhode Island, has announced that legislation has been introduced which would require a market-competitive procurement for approximately 600 MW of newly-developed offshore wind capacity.
If enacted, Rhode Island’s primary utility company would be required to issue the procurement no later than August 15, 2022. An additional 600 MW of offshore wind would further expand the state’s clean energy portfolio, with the potential to meet 30 percent of Rhode Island’s estimated 2030 electricity demand.
The Governor’s proposed legislation would also require offshore wind developers to provide information on potential environmental impacts through the submittal of an environmental and fisheries mitigation plan; estimates of local economic benefits; a diversity, equity and inclusion plan; and a plan outlining the bidder’s intentions with respect to the negotiation of a project labor agreement(s) to cover construction activities.
