Letter #2 to Mr. Judge, Undersecretary of Energy & Environmental Affairs

On February 2, 2024, FHMNA President Dave Buzanoski mailed the following letter (on FHMNA letterhead) to Mr. Michael Judge, Undersecretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, regarding Southcoast Wind’s proposed high voltage industrial sized cables.  This is a follow-up to the letter Dave sent on October 23, 2023 entitled “FHMNA Letter to MA Energy & Environmental Affairs Concerning SouthCoast Wind’s Proposed Cables Through Falmouth Heights” posted on our FHMNA website.  

February 2, 2024

Mr. Michael Judge, Undersecretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
100 Cambridge Street, 10th Floor
Boston, MA 02114

Subject: Attention Required Concerning Southcoast Wind’s Proposed High Voltage Industrial Sized Cables: (This letter shall serve as supplement to my October 23, 2023, letter.)

Dear Undersecretary Judge,

Respectfully, I write to you once again, concerning the above referenced matter. 

As you may recall, I wrote to you on October 23, 2023, explaining that there was a significant and growing concern among the Falmouth Heights-Maravista Neighborhood Association (FHMNA) membership with SouthCoast Wind’s proposal, to run high voltage industrial sized cables from an offshore wind farm through our neighborhood parks and streets.  You promptly responded to my letter on November 7th, assuring me that the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs understood the Association’s concerns, and pledged to maintain an open and transparent dialogue with our Association.  In reliance on those assurances and commitments, I write to you once again.

Over the last many months, a number of relevant and notable events have occurred; not the least of which were:

  • the Commonwealth’s Department of Energy Resources (DOER) submitted a $250M grant application to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Innovation Program for the purpose of enabling interconnection for ~3,600 MW of offshore wind generation by increasing capacity at Brayton Point and a yet to be determined location on the “South Coast” (May 2023),
  • the Commonwealth’s Department of Public Utilities approved the termination of power purchase contracts between certain utility companies and Avangrid (August 2023),
  • the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources and certain electric distribution companies jointly issued a Request for Proposals for offshore wind solicitation, bids due by January 31, 2024, (August 2023),
  • the issuance of Executive Order 620, and the creation of the Commission on Energy Infrastructure Siting and Permitting (September 2023),
  • the Commonwealth’s Department of Public Utilities approved the termination of power purchase contracts between certain utility companies and SouthCoast Wind (October 2023),
  • the bid due date for the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources and certain electric distribution companies jointly issued a Request for Proposals for offshore wind solicitation was extended to March 27, 2024 to allow for further clarification from the federal government concerning the potential application of tax credits.

Please understand that I appreciate and respect your efforts to manage through this unique and challenging matter, yet notwithstanding the work of you and your team, our community struggles with the uncertainties that blanket the offshore wind issues in general and more importantly directly affect the safety and health of their families.  As is the case with any issue of controversy, uncertainty and information vacuums serve to exacerbate tensions and mistrust.  The FHMNA certainly supports making our planet a safer place for all inhabitants.  The issue we are concerned with is how that is achieved without compromising the health and safety of those who live in the path of those who seek to minimize capital expenditures and maximize profits.  To this end, I respectfully request an opportunity to meet in person, with you and/or senior members of your staff so I may be briefed on:

  1. how the Commission on Energy Infrastructure Siting and Permitting will influence/regulate the identification and selection of onshore cabling siting and permitting,
  2. how the FHMNA be more informed on the Commission in its work,
  3. the status of DOER’s grant application, and,
  4. the “south coast” siting options as referenced in the DOER application.

Once again, thank you for your attention to this matter of great concern.  I am confident that with your  support, we can find a way to safely and efficiently introduce the electricity generated to the grid, while preserving the health, safety, and right of quiet enjoyment that we all deserve.

Sincerely,

David Buzanoski,
President, Falmouth Heights – Maravista Neighborhood Association