Massachusetts House Passes Legislation To Boost Offshore Wind Development, Reduce Carbon Emissions

In an effort to meet the Commonwealth’s climate goals of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, the House of Representatives today (03/03/2022) passed legislation to further develop the offshore wind industry in Massachusetts. The legislation will also modernize Massachusetts’ electrical grid and energy storage infrastructure, and create thousands of new jobs. 

“I’m immensely proud of the steps that the House took today to ensure Massachusetts remains at the forefront of renewable energy development,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “Not only will this legislation help us reduce our carbon emissions and combat climate change, it will also spur economic development, modernize our energy infrastructure, and create thousands of new jobs in the process. I want to thank Chairman Roy for his hard work in advancing this legislation, as its passage today was undoubtedly a critical step in the right direction.” 

“I am thrilled that today the House passed legislation crucial to the development of a strong offshore wind industry in Massachusetts,” said Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy. “Massachusetts waters have the greatest offshore wind potential out of the contiguous U.S., and this legislation will ensure that the Commonwealth is prepared to harness that energy while also creating a just and robust local economy, educational opportunities for our residents, and critical upgrades to our energy infrastructure without causing undue harm to our coastal habitats or maritime industries.”  

“An Act advancing offshore wind and clean energy” (H.4515):  (https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H4515)

• Makes the Massachusetts offshore wind bidding process more competitive by removing a current price cap that requires bids to be less expensive than previous procurements that has deterred companies from participating in the procurement process. Future procurements would now include economic development, employment, and environmental and fisheries mitigation benefits. 
• Invests hundreds of millions of dollars over the next decade in infrastructure, innovation, job training, supply chain capacity, and transmission upgrades. The legislation consists of tax incentives, grants, loans, and other investments.  
• Requires utility companies to proactively upgrade the transmission and distribution grid to improve reliability and resilience and accommodate the anticipated significant shift to renewable forms of energy. 
• Invests in long-term energy storage to help the Commonwealth’s transition to renewable energy.
• Provides thousands of good-paying jobs with a focus on ensuring access and opportunity for everyone.  
• Creates a DESE high school offshore wind credential training pilot program through which DESE would reimburse school districts for each student that obtains the credential.

The legislation creates parity between electric and natural gas, imposing a charge for natural gas consumers to support renewable energy, similar to the charge electric customers currently pay. At a little over $1 a month for the average customer, this is estimated to collect $23 million a year over the next 10 years to support the Commonwealth’s transition to clean energy. By diversifying Massachusetts’ energy portfolio, Massachusetts will become more energy independent and less reliant on imported natural gas that is susceptible to volatile price spikes, thereby helping to stabilize ratepayer bills in the long term. 

“An Act advancing offshore wind and clean energy” (H.4515) passed the House of Representatives 144-12. It now goes to the Senate for their consideration.  

Link to the legislation -> https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H4515

Links to coverage of this legislation:

• https://commonwealthmagazine.org/energy/offshore-wind-bill-sails-through-house/
• https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/03/02/opinion/offshore-wind-is-future-massachusetts/
• https://www.wgbh.org/news/politics/2022/03/03/house-pushes-for-massachusetts-to-become-the-center-of-u-s-wind-production
• https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/03/02/business/race-offshore-wind-jobs-mass-is-falling-behind-so-now-what/

Massachusetts House Passes Legislation To Boost Offshore Wind Development, Reduce Carbon Emissions

"The benefits of this investment will not be confined to just offshore wind"

From the Boston Globe - an editorial written by: Ronald J. Mariano, who represents the Third Norfolk District, is speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Jeffrey N. Roy represents the 10th Norfolk District and is House chair of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy. 

"In November, voters in Maine approved a ballot measure that blocks plans to develop a transmission line to deliver hydroelectric power from Canada to Massachusetts and the rest of the region. 

Two months after that vote, Massachusetts was hit by a powerful “bomb cyclone” that brought 70-mile-per-hour gusts, more than 30 inches of snow, mass power outages, and school and business closures. It ranked among the top 10 storms with the highest snowfalls to hit the Boston area since the National Weather Service began keeping such records in the late 1800s — seven of which have occurred just within the last two decades. 

These two events, occurring in short succession, demonstrate both the perils of climate change and just how fragile that state’s existing plans are to combat it."

Continue reading the editorial online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/03/02/opinion/offshore-wind-is-future-massachusetts/ 

Deepwater Wind's turbines off Block Island, R.I., as seen in 2019.RODRIQUE NGOWI/ASSOCIATED PRESS

CommonWealth Magazine: "New offshore wind bill drops electric bill charges"

"HOUSE LEADERS on Tuesday abandoned a proposal to hike electric ratepayer bills as they pulled together the votes needed to pass legislation offering significant financial incentives to the offshore wind industry to put down roots in Massachusetts.

“There will be other opportunities to put more money in this. We want to keep the debate about building an industry,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano. “We didn’t want this bill to get killed because of an argument over consumer electric bills.”

An earlier draft of the bill approved by the Legislature’s Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy Committee called for tripling the existing 30-cent monthly charge on electric bills to promote renewable energy and using the extra 60 cents to help fund an offshore wind investment fund. The bill also called for a new charge on natural gas bills to raise $1.50 a month to seed money to the same fund. "

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/energy/new-offshore-wind-bill-drops-new-electric-bill-charges/
 

CommonWealth Magazine: "New offshore wind bill drops electric bill charges"

Offshore wind policy draws sides and maybe progress

"A LONG-BREWING fight over state energy policy moved into the spotlight on Tuesday as key players laid out their positions in what promises to be an interesting debate over the best way to propel the state’s offshore wind industry into the future. 

The starting point is a bill filed by Gov. Charlie Baker that would steer $750 million in American Rescue Plan Act money into a fund that would invest in new energy technologies, train a new energy workforce, and change the way offshore wind procurements are run in the future."

Continue reading the article online
https://commonwealthmagazine.org/energy/offshore-wind-policy-fight-takes-center-stage/

"Governor Charlie Baker and secretary of energy and environmental affairs Kathleen Theoharides on Tuesday urged the Legislature to pass a plan to make the state more competitive in the offshore wind industry. 

The hourslong hearing before the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy was contentious: 90 witnesses, including many supporters and some naysayers, signed on."

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/01/11/science/baker-urges-state-pass-offshore-wind-investment-help-meet-climate-goals/

"THE LEGISLATURE’S energy committee approved a bill Wednesday evening that would give the state’s Clean Energy Center a major role in the development of the offshore wind industry and tap consumer electricity and natural gas bills to pay for tax credits, grants, and investments to make it happen. 

Rep. Jeffrey Roy of Franklin, the House chair of the Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy Committee, maneuvered the bill through the panel with 10 House members and one Senate member voting in support, one senator voting no, and four senators and one House member reserving their rights. Sen. Bruce Tarr of Gloucester, a Republican, was the lone no vote."

Continue reading the article online 
https://commonwealthmagazine.org/energy/sweeping-offshore-wind-bill-headed-toward-house/ 

Sen. Michael Barrett of Lexington (left) and Rep. Jeffrey Roy of Franklin, the chairs of Legislature's Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy Committee.

Conversation with Franklin's State Representative Jeff Roy - 11/23/21 (audio)

FM #669 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 669 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with our State Representative Jeffrey Roy. We had our conversation virtually via the Zoom conference bridge on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.

We talked about: 

• Thanksgiving, time for thanks

• Wind power and renewable energy efforts

• Genocide bill, legislative terms (engrossment, enactment)

• Recycling event pilot now going state-wide

• Critical conversations on mental health substance abuse

• Civil and civic conversations for government discussions

Links to the key references are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 59 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jeff Roy.

*** Audio file => https://player.captivate.fm/episode/e615231a-39f6-4f26-82c0-d37cd261a70c

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Wind power ground breaking event https://twitter.com/jeffroy/status/1461667359865942017

 

Commonwealth Magazine article: https://commonwealthmagazine.org/the-download/a-first-step-on-offshore-wind-2/

 

Genocide legislation text  https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S2557

 

Genocide bill articles: Public officials, faith leaders denounce antisemitism at Holocaust memorial menorah lighting, Boston Globe (11/30/21); A bill heading to Governor Charlie Baker’s desk would require Mass. school districts to teach about genocides, Boston Globe (11/27/21); Massachusetts mandates genocide education, Armenian Weekly (11/16/21); Beacon Hill eyeing tradeoffs on offshore wind, Commonwealth Magazine (10/18/21)

 

Green Team webpage https://www.gogreenteamjunk.com/  event listing (not showing future events at this time)  https://www.gogreenteamjunk.com/events

 

Mass Save web page (sign up for energy audits, etc.)  https://www.masssave.com/

 

SAFE Coalition presentation as mentioned in the discussion (Town Council meeting of 9/15/21) ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/franklin-ma-town-council-meeting.html

SAFE Coalition web page -> https://www.safecoalitionma.org/home

Get Help Now! For Help Call the SAFE Support Hotline: 508-488-8105

You can listen to Danielle Allen on an episode of "More Perfect Union" https://player.captivate.fm/episode/5230abc8-a5e5-4ec6-89b3-2f1e1beeaa11

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

State Representative Jeff Roy

Round up from the CommonWealth Magazine - anchor mission, MA vaccine rollout for kids, Rep Roy on the Codcast

The "anchor mission" explained and how that may help with health care costs

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/opinion/what-our-anchor-mission-means-for-central-mass/

MA prepares for vaccine rollout for the kids

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/drug-addiction/drugs/massachusetts-preps-for-nov-vaccine-rollout-to-kids/

State claims school testing problems resolved

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/education/state-school-testing-delays-are-being-resolved/

The recent episode of The Codcast features State Representative Jeff Roy in the discussion on "The great offshore wind debate"

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/podcast/the-great-offshore-wind-debate/

CommonWealth Magazine · The great offshore wind debate

State Rep Roy: What's happening in the district - June 2021 newsletter

View this email in your browser Offshore wind announcement Last month, we celebrated the approval of Vineyard Wind, the first large-scale offshore wind project in the United States. Rep. Roy was honored to join with state officials and the Vineyard Wind team for the announcement at the Wind Technology Test Center in Charlestown. The is the first step in a major effort to fight climate change and create jobs in the process. Speaker Ron Mariano has made offshore wind a priority for Massachusetts, part of the goal to make Massachusetts a regional hub of the industry. This project enables Massachusetts to realize the ambitious offshore wind energy goals the Legislature set in 2016 and 2021 and brings us closer to our vision of a thriving offshore wind sector here in Massachusetts. It will power hundreds of thousands of homes while helping us attain our emissions reduction goals. It will also boost our economy, reduce electricity rates, and create thousands of local clean energy jobs that will be here to stay. Copyright (C) 2021 State Rep Jeff Roy. All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you either contacted our office or indicated you wanted to keep updated on the 10th Norfolk District and things going on at the State House. State Rep Jeff Roy State House Room 43 Boston, MA 02133

This newsletter was shortened for publication here. To view the full contents  Follow this link ->

https://mailchi.mp/61034bfeed2d/march-2021-newsletter-5081538?e=6ead984465

"the aggregation rate is often lower than the utility rate"

"AROUND THE WORLD, in the White House, and at our State House, leaders are finally beginning to respond to the climate challenge. Here in Massachusetts, we can take pride in bold new legislation to curb greenhouse gas emissions. And the nation’s first large-scale off-shore wind project, Vineyard Wind, has been given the go ahead by the federal government. Those are exciting developments, but there’s something happening at the local level that deserves our attention as well.

In Massachusetts, cities and towns are increasingly taking advantage of a process known as green municipal aggregation or community choice electricity, which allows municipalities to purchase electricity directly from suppliers (rather than relying on the utilities to do it for us). Through aggregation, communities can offer options that include more wind and solar than required by state law at affordable rates. Today about 50 cities and towns in Massachusetts have done so and dozens more are at various stages of the approval process. Communities that have been doing this for some time keep renewing and usually add more renewable energy as time goes on."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/opinion/the-municipal-solution-to-climate-change/

Municipal aggregation was approved by Franklin in 2016 and in 2020 they finally implemented a contract with good pricing. Town Administrator Jamie Hellen provides the update and background to the Town Council in this audio segment. The link also contains link to the steps along the process from the archives.

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/fm-208-jamie-hellen-on-municipal.html

Municipal aggregation is reported on quarterly and you can find those reports on the Town page  https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator/pages/municipal-aggregation

FM #208 - Jamie Hellen on Municipal Aggregation

Town of Franklin, MA: Quarterly Aggregation Report

"The ToF's Quarterly Aggregation Report provides a summary of the Nov & Dec electrical savings vs National Grid rates. Franklin chose a 100% green product that supports renewable energy, with 100% of the power supply being offset by National Wind Renewable Energy Certificates. " https://t.co/saIwgNIsmO

 

"This report has been prepared by Colonial Power Group with information/data being provided by the Competitive Supplier and National Grid. The purpose of the report is to provide information about the Town of Franklin's Community Choice Power Supply Program, which currently provides competitive power supply to approximately 9,850 customers in the Town. The data provided by the Competitive Supplier is not available until three months after the month it is used. For example, power is Used in January, Invoiced in February, Paid in March and Reported in April" 

Read the full report on the Town of Franklin page:   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/franklin_quarterly_aggregation_report-q4_2020.pdf

By my calculations, for the simple act of not opting out, Franklin residential rate payers saved approx. $12 in Nov and $11 in Dec 2020. Not bad at all. Even if there is a more conservative savings estimate of $10/month, that works out to be $1200/year for green (wind) electricity.

(Understanding oi course, that some residential electric user have existing contracts from which they could not change. Once those agreements reach their end of life, the option to opt in will still be available.)

Town of Franklin, MA: Quarterly Aggregation Report113602

MA State News: wind energy and commission report on special taxes

Mariano pledges to turn South Coast into ‘hub of wind energy’ 

"MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE SPEAKER Ron Mariano on Thursday pledged to make major investments to turn the South Coast into “a hub of wind energy for the region.” 

Mariano, in a virtual speech to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, envisioned using the nascent offshore wind energy industry as a way to create jobs in Massachusetts while positioning the state to be a leader in a growing field."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/energy/mariano-pledges-to-turn-south-coast-into-hub-of-wind-energy/ 

Commission raises flags on film, alcohol, Fidelity tax breaks

"A COMMISSION ESTABLISHED to review the effectiveness of special tax breaks issued by the state of Massachusetts raised serious concerns in its initial report about measures benefitting the film, alcohol, and mutual fund industries.

The Tax Expenditure Review Commission, in a first-of-its-kind report, tried to rate the effectiveness of 26 of the more than 200 tax breaks that in some cases have been on the state’s books for decades and never been subjected to any scrutiny even though they represent billions of dollars in foregone revenue."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/commission-raises-flags-on-film-alcohol-fidelity-tax-breaks/

Municipal Aggregation - Information Session Video

The recent Information Session on the Municipal Aggregation agreement the Town of Franklin has implemented for Franklin residents was recorded and available for video replay.

 

Video link =  https://youtu.be/Vl7qvosl33g

 

Town Administrator Jamie Hellen at the Town Council meeting announcing the deal in Feb 2020 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/fm-208-jamie-hellen-on-municipal.html

 

Municipal Aggregation Program Informational Session - Oct 5

Municipal Aggregation Program Informational Session

• Event Date: Monday, October 5, 2020 - 10:00am

Zoom Information

• Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84712272251
• Meeting ID: 847 1227 2251  Call-In Phone Number: 1-929-205-6099 

 

Program Announcement

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/2020-09-18_municipal_aggregation_announcement.pdf

 

 

Municipal Aggregation Program Informational Session - Oct 5

FM #208 - Jamie Hellen on Municipal Aggregation

This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 208 in the series. We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

During the Town Administrator’s Report segment of the Town Council meeting, Feb 12, 2020, there was a good piece of news. Municipal aggregation is finally here with a good deal.

What is municipal aggregation?

“It seeks to aggregate consumers in the Town to negotiate rates for power supply. It brings together the buying power of over 32,000 consumers. Furthermore, the Town seeks to better manage energy prices.

Participation is voluntary for each eligible consumer. Eligible consumers have the opportunity to decline service provided through the Plan and to choose any Competitive Supplier they wish.“

On your electric bill, there are two sections, one for delivery services, and one for the cost of the electricity itself. With aggregation, Franklin has just signed a contract to deliver electricity at a cost of only 10.5 cents for three years. This is one, an improvement over the current rate (around .14 cents) and two, confirms the rate for three years.

This is a good deal. More will be forthcoming on this as we get closer to Sep/Oct 2020. There will be additional information shared, info on how to opt out (accepting a rate other than the 10.5 cents confirmed for three years), etc.

Let’s listen to Jamie Hellen talk about the municipal aggregation deal at the Town Council meeting.

Additional info will be provided at the Town Council meeting on March 4, 2020.

Links to the archives for prior posts on municipal aggregation which was initially approved by the Town Council in 2016 are provided in the show notes


Audio file  https://player.captivate.fm/episode/d8099baa-7dc9-49c7-b55a-cfdb619a52d2

From the archives:

Aggregation Plan released for Town Council meeting review and discussion
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/02/municipal-aggregation-program.html

Link to Municipal Aggregation docs on Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/administrator/pages/municipal-aggregation-documents

Embedded copy:




From the Town Council meeting where this was approved
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/03/live-reporting-legislation-for-action.html

Aggregation Presentation doc - March 9, 2016
https://www.slideshare.net/shersteve/franklin-community-choice-aggregation-program

Franklin Community Choice Aggregation Program from Franklin Matters

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This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don't like this, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements.
Thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

FM #208 - Jamie Hellen on Municipal Aggregation

In the News: Paychecks get smaller; wind power growth threatened

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Paychecks are about to get a little smaller in Massachusetts.

Employer and employee contributions to the state Department of Family and Medical Leave Employment Security Trust Fund begin coming out of paychecks on Tuesday. That’s the funding source for the new paid family and medical leave benefit signed into law last year."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190930/payroll-deduction-for-mass-paid-leave-starts-oct-1

"The winds are blowing fair for America’s wind power industry, making it one of the fastest-growing U.S. energy sources.

Land-based turbines are rising by the thousands across America, from the remote Texas plains to farm towns of Iowa. And the U.S. wind boom now is expanding offshore, with big corporations planning $70 billion in investment for the country’s first utility-scale offshore wind farms.

“We have been blessed to have it,” says Polly McMahon, a 13th-generation resident of Block Island, where a pioneering offshore wind farm replaced the island’s dirty and erratic diesel-fired power plant in 2016. “I hope other people are blessed too.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190930/presidents-windmill-hatred-is-worry-for-booming-industry

"excited about expanding its offshore wind presence"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"A lease auction of about 600 square miles acres off the coast of Massachusetts for the development of offshore wind energy has drawn a record $405 million in winning bids. 

If fully developed, the three parcels could generate about 4.1 gigawatts of energy — enough to power nearly 1.5 million homes. 

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said Friday the auction was the nation’s eighth competitive lease sale for the development of offshore wind. He said it smashed the previous highest grossing offshore wind lease sale record of $42 million for an area off New York in 2016. 

The provisional winners of the auction were Equinor Wind US, Mayflower Wind Energy and Vineyard Wind. They bid $135 million each for three similarly sized parcels of approximately 130,000 acres."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181214/auction-of-wind-parcels-off-mass-coast-draws-record-405m-in-bids

Image from Equinor's web page

More about Equinor Wind US  https://www.equinor.com/en/news/us-wind-dec2018.html

More about Mayflower Wind Energy LLC
https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=279756673

More about Vineyard Wind  https://www.vineyardwind.com/

In the News: fire fighter health issues; coyote population on rise; Cape Wind ceases operation

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"For firefighters across the country, there is a growing realization that a major danger they face lies not just in the flames they battle, but in the fumes they breathe and the toxic soot they touch. 

“I can’t think of a fire department or firefighter who doesn’t know someone who’s gone through battling cancer or been touched by cancer or sadly had a death too close to home,” said Massachusetts State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey. “We’re really trying to sound the alarm on this and make sure people are conscious of this.” 

In Massachusetts, the issue of cancer rates for firefighters resurfaced earlier this fall, when Arlington Deputy Fire Chief Stephen Porciello and Watertown Fire Chief Mario Orangio died within a month of each other due to cancers likely related to their work."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171201/firefighters-battle-hidden-risk-of-cancer

Franklin's West Central St fire station at night

"Once completely foreign to Massachusetts, coyotes have become increasingly common throughout the state, turning up in rural, suburban, and even, urban areas. 

“We’re now pretty well saturated with coyotes in this state,” said Dave Wattles, a biologist with the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. “They started to colonize this state in the 1950s, and we’re now seeing the far end of that colonization. We now have coyotes in every mainland town in the state, and in relatively high densities. All available habitat is occupied by coyotes. 

While physical encounters with people are uncommon, the topic of coyote attacks in Massachusetts gained new attention in November after a rabid coyote attacked two people in North Attleboro. The Nov. 20 incident represents the eighth and ninth coyote attacks on humans since the 1950s."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171201/coyote-population-saturates-massachusetts

"Cape Wind is ceasing development of its wind farm and giving up its federal lease, according to the Cape Cod Times. 

Once well positioned to become the nation’s first off-shore wind farm, the project has been buffeted by legal challenges and trapped in financial doldrums. 

“Cape Wind has confirmed to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management that it has ceased development of its proposed offshore wind farm project in Nantucket Sound and has filed to terminate its offshore wind development lease that was issued in 2010,” Cape Wind vice president Dennis Duffy told the Times."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171201/cape-wind-gives-up-on-plan-for-nantucket-sound-wind-farm