Supporters say offshore wind bills would boost reliability, jobs and consumer protection

BOSTON — Supporters of several offshore wind bills told the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy on July 9 that the measures would strengthen Massachusetts’ clean‑energy transition, create jobs and protect consumers and wildlife. They urged the legislature to give favorable reports to bills including House Bill 3501 and Senate Bill 2279 and related measures addressing procurement, wildlife protections and community benefits.

The bills “support climate progress through sustainably developed offshore wind,” Casey Bowers, vice president of government relations for the Environmental League of Massachusetts, said in testimony. Amanda Barker, clean energy program manager at Green Energy Consumers Alliance, called offshore wind “Massachusetts’ most scalable clean energy resource” and said long‑term contracts would protect consumers from fossil‑fuel price spikes.

The bills would expand state procurement targets and add provisions that,…