(Boston, MA) – Vineyard Offshore, America’s leading offshore wind development company, has submitted a proposal for a 1,200 megawatt (MW) offshore wind project to Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island in response to the New England states’ solicitation for up to 6,800 MW of offshore wind capacity. Building on its success as developer of Vineyard Wind 1, Vineyard Offshore included with its proposal more than 200 letters of support from local officials, suppliers, and stakeholders in Massachusetts and the two other states, which will all see economic impact from the proposed project. Below are excerpts from selected letters of support:

Current and Former Elected Officials:

“Vineyard Offshore’s commitment to developing a regional approach to using local supply chains and workforce are utilized in the fulfillment of their project is deeply meaningful to our community. Salem and the North Shore are positioned to support the Commonwealth and nation to meet our clean energy goals. We are excited to continue Salem’s tradition as a hub for generating regional economic development while also being an active proponent and partner for the development of renewable energy sources.” – Dominick Pangallo, Mayor of Salem

“We are proud to have Vineyard Offshore as a partner in growing New Bedford as a national hub of the emerging offshore wind industry. It is because of your dedication to the community job creation, your meaningful local partnerships and your pursuit of economic opportunities for our local businesses and residents that we offer our support for your upcoming proposals.” – Councilors Brian K. Gomes, Ian Abreu, Shane A. Burgo, Leo Choquette, Shawn Oliver, Derek Baptiste, Joseph P. Lopes, Ryan J. Pereira, New Bedford City Council

“Through Vineyard Wind 1, your company has demonstrated an enduring commitment to cultivating meaningful working relationships with communities and stakeholders, alongside building a local offshore wind workforce and supply chain... Having met with your staff and followed their work as part of Vineyard Wind 1, I am confident that Vineyard Offshore will continue that commitment through your future pursuits.” – Christopher Hendricks, State Representative, New Bedford

“The opportunities that the offshore wind industry has provided New Bedford have proven to be an economic catalyst across several sectors of our local economy…The proposed operations and maintenance facility in New Bedford will prove important to ensuring the continued economic growth across the South Coast. Thank you for your continued commitment to the people and promise of New Bedford.” – Christopher Markey, State Representative, 9^th Bristol District 

“My staff and I appreciate the early dialog we have had with your team and look forward to the prospect of being a partner in a future Vineyard Offshore project. We understand Vineyard Offshore may seek to make landfall and route underground transmission within the city of New London, which would bring significant potential revenue… I am confident that we can capture that benefit for our community and coordinate with your team at the appropriate time to ensure the construction effort goes smoothly – I am encouraged by your hands-on experience in performing similar construction with landfall communities in Massachusetts for Vineyard Wind 1.” – Michael Passero, Mayor of New London, Conn.

“Your experience in engagement and collaboration through your development of Vineyard Wind 1 bodes well for a relationship between your team and our community. The town of Montville hosts a skilled workforce and significant opportunity for small business growth, and we look forward to further dialog with your team on capitalizing on those opportunities.” – Leonard G. Bunnell Sr., Mayor of Montville, Conn.

“As town councilor in Barnstable for over eight years, I was present for much of the local debate around offshore wind and participated actively in the dialog around Vineyard Wind 1… You have built a track record of which you should be proud: to be an honest partner as communities trust you with our roads, beaches, and coastlines. Based on my experience as a public official, advocate, and neighbor to this project, I am confident that your team will be an exemplary and valued partner in the New England communities where you hope to work.” – Paul Hebert, former town council president, Barnstable 

Local Businesses and Suppliers:

“The Salem Chamber of Commerce welcomes the opportunity to work with … Vineyard Offshore to continue to build the offshore wind workforce in Salem, the North Shore and beyond.” – Rinus Oosthoek, Executive Director, Salem Chamber of Commerce 

"The Vineyard Offshore wind team has proven they could propose a large offshore wind project and deliver as they continue to complete Vineyard Wind I. Energy New England and its clients are proud to be a small part of the first offshore wind project in New England. Their expertise, professionalism and desire to provide an exceptional clean energy project, make them a wonderful partner and organization we would like to support and continue to work with into the future." – John G. Tzimorangas, President and CEO, Energy New England

“I hope your work on Vineyard Wind 1becomes the standard for offshore wind and other clean energy projects in the Northeast… We are confident that you and your team will continue to focus on building these projects with local firms and local workers wherever possible.”– Mike Winkler, Winkler Crane & Construction Co., Truro

“Chapman Construction Group is a women owned, veteran owned, disadvantaged full-service electrical construction company that delivers comprehensive electrical services for facilities and projects throughout Greater Boston, Cape Cod, and the Islands. We were able to secure three major contracts on the Vineyard Wind 1 project and look forward to continuing the relationship with Vineyard Offshore.” – Vicki Chapman, Chapman Construction Group

“AGM has been involved in the current Vineyard Wind 1 project serving as the general contractor on Vineyard Wind’s marine terminal in Vineyard Haven, MA. AGM has seen the positive impact it has on local families. We appreciate the Vineyard Offshore team’s proactive approach to identifying opportunities for local businesses in New England to engage with and participate in the offshore wind industry and look forward to continued opportunities to work on future projects.” – Jonah Mikutowicz, AGM Marine Contractors, New Bedford 

Fishing Industry:

“Over time I’ve seen VW and fisheries depend on one another to complete VW1. This relationship has been able to grow due to VW’s decision to take every possible measure to avoid impacting any fishery.” – John Verissimo, fisherman and fisheries consultant

“I’ve been a scallop fisherman out of New Bedford, MA for 18 years. In 2023, I worked on safety vessels / PSO vessels as captain for the Vineyard Wind 1 project and will continue to work on the project this year. Vineyard Offshore has promoted honest and open dialogue and has not only listened to our concerns but has taken a proactive approach to finding solutions.” – Doug Simmons, Captain

“As a former fisherman for 35 years and currently working as a fisheries liaison observer, I’m very appreciative of Vineyard Offshore’s dedication to safety and the environment. I’ve worked on a couple of their projects and have seen firsthand how they put in the extra time and effort to do it right.” – Bruce Bannick, Captain/Fisherman

Opportunity and Equity

“We fully support Vineyard Offshore’s efforts to advance New England’s next large-scale offshore wind project in support of the region’s clean energy and climate goals, and are confident that Vineyard Offshore will work closely and fairly with tribal governments and tribal members as you develop your future projects. We hope your proposal is selected, not only because of the opportunities it will bring to members of the Mashpee Wampanoag, but more so in recognition of the singular effort that we have put in together to form a partnership that should become the standard for offshore wind development.” - Brian M. Weeden, chairman, Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe

“Having attended your career fairs and other events, we have witnessed firsthand the consistent efforts to connect our diverse community to workforce development and training in this new industry by your company. PACE, Inc., looks forward to partnering with you to assist communities of color join the wind industry and not only earn wages they can build their future with but address climate issues that have long been overlooked.” – Pam Kuechler, executive director, People Acting in Community Endeavors, New Bedford

“We have been engaging with your community events, grant opportunities through MassCEC and appreciate what Vineyard Offshore wind is doing to try and brown the greenspace and engage a demographic that has been underserved. TRUE is looking forward to furthering our partnership in creating a pipeline of young diverse workers to enter the wind industry and enable them to secure sustainable livelihoods while also addressing long-standing environmental issues.” – Tanya J. Lobo, CEO, T.R.U.E. Diversity, Taunton

“I am writing to express support for Vineyard Offshore’s proposals for the upcoming offshore wind solicitations… We truly believe that we can close the wealth gap while tackling climate change and look forward to our continued partnership.” – Kerry Bowie, president, Browning the Green Space, Boston

“Growing up on Cape Cod, I had an early love for the sea. I worked on boats of all kinds as a teenager and then pursued a career as a merchant mariner. When offshore wind finally came to the Northeast, I was eager to get involved. I was concerned early on, though, that there would be few opportunities to get into the industry. But Vineyard Wind was highly active in recruiting, networking, training, and employing local mariners. I received a post with one of Vineyard Wind’s contractors, and for the past year have been working on the nation’s first commercial scale offshore wind project. It has been a game changer. I wish you the best of luck and I am looking forward to my next chapter, hopefully helping to build one of your future projects.” – Chad Costa

Environmental

“I can state unambiguously that I have never experienced any effort to understand, monitor and minimize risks to wildlife that compares to the efforts associated with Vineyard Wind 1. From top to bottom, the team, which is led and staffed by Vineyard Offshore, is genuinely devoted to doing everything they can to protect the environment.” – Chris Clark, Ph.D., Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics, Cornell University

“SAFE supports Vineyard Offshore’s approach to creating [a fund] to build on existing investments in offshore wind communities and amplify workforce and supply chain development in the state of Massachusetts... SAFE has a long history tied to our port, having been founded over 20 years ago to shut down the coal plant. We have long advocated for offshore wind and wish to see a true just transition.” – Jim Mulloy, board chair, Salem Alliance for the Environment

“CCE has been working with Vineyard Offshore for years and we appreciate their proactive approach to identifying opportunities to collaborate with community organizations and stakeholders as they develop sustainable offshore wind projects… Based on our experience of working with Vineyard Offshore in New York, we support Vineyard Offshore’s efforts to advance New England’s next large-scale offshore wind project in support of the region’s clean energy and climate goals.” – Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, New York and Connecticut

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About Vineyard Offshore

Vineyard Offshore is leading the development of two lease areas in the Northeast, in addition to a lease area off the coast of Northern California, OCS-P 0562.Lease area OCS-A 522, known as Vineyard Northeast, is located off the coast of Massachusetts. OCS-A 544, known as Vineyard Mid-Atlantic and home to the Excelsior Wind Project, is located in the New York Bight. Combined with its joint venture development of the first-in-the-nation offshore wind project, Vineyard Wind, now under construction, Vineyard Offshore has the potential to develop more than 6 gigawatts of clean, renewable and affordable energy on the East and West Coasts of the United States. To learn more, visit: www.vineyardoffshore.com.