Connecticut officials gathered Wednesday in New London to highlight funding for New England designed to help expand offshore wind energy generation.
The federal government is giving the region $389 million to improve the electrical grid. Part of that money will go towards erecting massive wind turbines off the coast of New London.
Interim Executive Director of the Connecticut Port Authority, Ulysses Hammond, pointed to one of the wind blades that will eventually be connected to a turbine.
“The blades alone, one blade weighs 40 metric tons,” Hammond said.
Connecticut officials say that will mean cheaper, cleaner electricity in the long run.
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes highlighted an offshore wind farm project. Dykes said once it’s completed, it will be a significant source of clean energy.
“These projects will support the integration of 2,400 megawatts of offshore wind in each location and enhance the reliability of the grid,” Dykes said.
State officials say the project should be in service within eight years after contracts are finalized. Contracts were expected to be awarded to electric companies this month, but as WCAI previously reported, the recent federal grant may impact contract awards.
U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat who attended the New London event, says that’s going to take too long.
“The people of Connecticut are really concerned about skyrocketing electricity bills,” Blumenthal said.
In the meantime, Blumenthal is going to Washington to see if there are any alternatives to lower electric costs. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, he said, can review delivery rates from electric providers.
Blumenthal’s remarks in New London come on the heels of energy customers all over Connecticut expressing anger about high electric bills from Eversource and United Illuminating.
“The federal government is putting a lot of taxpayer money into these projects with the understanding, the clear understanding, that the benefits are going to go to consumers, and that ultimately, energy will be not only more available, but more affordable,” Blumenthal said.
