On June 7, 2019, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) released its Notice of Scope of Proceeding and Request for Written Comment for the procurement of offshore wind facilities.

The commissioner of DEEP, in consultation with the procurement manager of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), the Office of the Attorney General (AGO), and the Office of Consumer Counsel (OCC), will seek proposals for up to 2,000 megawatts (MWs). The solicitation is in response to Section 1 of the Substitute for House Bill No. 7156, An Act Concerning the Procurement of Energy Derived From Offshore Wind.

The commissioner must require bidders to adhere to the following:

1. payment of not less than the prevailing wage, if selected
2. engage in a good faith negotiation of a project labor agreement, if selected
3. include an environmental and fisheries mitigation plan for the construction and operation of such offshore wind facilities
4. include plans for use of skilled labor
5. submit at least one proposal with a nameplate capacity rating of 400 MW

Any proposals that may be selected by the commissioner should:

1. be in the best interest of ratepayers
2. promote electric distribution system reliability, including winter peak demand
3. have positive impacts on the state's economic development
4. be consistent with the requirements to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
5. be consistent with the policy goals outlined in the Comprehensive Energy Strategy
6. be consistent with the goals and policies in sections 22a-92 and 25-157t
7. use practices to avoid, minimize and mitigate  impacts to wildlife, natural resources, ecosystems and traditional or existing water-dependent uses

In order to guide its development of standards for the environmental and fisheries mitigation plan for the construction and operation of such offshore wind facilities, DEEP is convening a Commission on Environmental Standards (Commission) to develop recommendations and accept public input.

DEEP intends to adhere to the following schedule in this proceeding:

June 14, 2019: Scoping written comments due
July 1, 2019: DEEP releases draft solicitation
July 15, 2019: Draft solicitation written comments due
July 17, 2019: Commission releases draft recommendations
July 24, 2019: Commission draft recommendation written comments due
July 31, 2019: Commission releases final recommendations
August 15, 2019: DEEP releases final solicitation
September 30, 2019: Bid due date
November 2019: DEEP announces solicitation decision

On June 13, 2019, DEEP released a Notice of Commission on Environmental Standards Meeting and Opportunity for Public Comment convening a Commission on Environmental Standards and accepting public comment on fisheries and environmental mitigation plans for offshore wind facilities.

If you would like to be added to the distribution list and receive information related to this proceeding, please contact DEEP.EnergyBureau@ct.gov

Content last updated January 2020