Mass Energy Receives Grant for Wind Turbine from Excelerate Energy

August 22, 2007

Mass Energy is thrilled to announce that it has received a $400,000 grant from Excelerate Energy to build a wind turbine in eastern Massachusetts. Excelerate Energy is building an offshore-liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, Northeast Gateway, 13 miles southeast of Gloucester. The grant to Mass Energy is part of a $23.5 million mitigation package to benefit commercial fisherman, improve marine habitat, protect marine mammals, fund low-income fuel assistance, and support clean energy projects.

Natural gas companies have proposed several LNG terminals around the country. In southern New England, in addition to Excelerate Energy, Suez Energy North America is building a terminal seven miles from Gloucester. A proposal to locate a terminal on Outer Brewster Island in Boston Harbor faced much opposition and has since been withdrawn. A fourth proposal, the Weaver’s Cove Energy project in Fall River, also faces a great deal of opposition, but the project is still pending. Many federal, state, and local officials have found there to be substantial differences between the offshore projects near Gloucester and Weaver’s Cove. During the permit review process, Northeast Gateway and Suez were deemed by regulators to have impacts that can be mitigated. In contrast, serious concerns remain about the inherent safety associated with an LNG facility located directly within a heavily populated area such as Fall River. Mass Energy shares those concerns and is opposed to the Weaver’s Cove project.

Commenting on Northeast Gateway, Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles said, “Massachusetts relies on natural gas for both home heating and power generation, and this offshore delivery system promises to bring us the gas we need that is safe and has little impact on the environment.” Secretary of Public Safety Kevin Burke said, “These offshore LNG ports are a big improvement over land-based terminals when it comes to public safety.”

Creating wind power in the region is a significant positive mitigation step. Larry Chretien, executive director of Mass Energy said this about the wind turbine grant, “The demand for renewable energy in New England is growing faster than the supply, particularly as wind projects are concerned. Fortunately, we have been able to meet customer demand with solar, biomass, and low-impact hydro.”

Chretien continued, “While we wait for new wind projects developed by others to come on-line, we are going to develop at least one project of our own. This grant from Excelerate Energy, combined with the purchasing power of Mass Energy members, will help to put a great community-based project together.

Mass Energy will site the turbine in a community where local officials and the community are ready to embrace wind power. As a nonprofit organization, Mass Energy will ensure that the economic benefits of the turbine are shared fairly with the community.

“While we are in the LNG importation market, we realize that the long-term solution to the region's energy needs is a mix of increased supplies of natural gas, energy conservation, and generation of renewable energy," said Excelerate COO Rob Bryngelson. "This grant award to Mass Energy and other donations we have made to regional energy assistance and conservation efforts is our acknowledgement of that fact."

“We are extremely grateful to Excelerate Energy” said Chretien, “This is a company that clearly understands the many facets of our region’s energy situation and how it can contribute to the long-term greater good.”

Mass Energy is currently in the process of choosing a site in eastern Massachusetts for the wind turbine. More information on this project will be posted at www.massenergy.org.

If you have any questions please contact Larry Chretien, Executive Director at larry@massenergy.org or 617-524-3950 x121.

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