The terminal will transform a former oil- and coal-fired
power plant into Massachusetts'
second wind port, which will propel the state toward its clean
energy goals and expedite the construction of next-generation wind
farms.
SALEM,
Mass., Aug. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ --
Massachusetts Governor
Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor
Kim Driscoll, with Salem Mayor Dominick
Pangallo, joined Crowley Wind Services President and CEO
Bob Karl and other leaders to
celebrate a significant milestone today with the ceremonial
groundbreaking of the Salem Offshore Wind Terminal. This project
involves transforming a former oil- and coal-fired power plant into
Massachusetts' second wind port,
which will propel the state toward its clean energy goals and
expedite the construction of next-generation wind farms. The
terminal is being built to support the construction of offshore
wind farms in New England and future floating turbines in the Gulf
of Maine.
This public-private partnership in
Salem can be a model for
communities and the industry to follow to achieve our commitments
to create renewable, sustainable power.
Crowley also announced today that the company has awarded
Massachusetts-based joint venture
DW White JF White to be the project's general contractor. The
contractor has executed a Project Labor Agreement with the North
Shore Building and Construction Trades and the North Atlantic
States Regional Council of Carpenters (NASRCC).
"Coming on the heels of $389
million in federal funds for offshore wind transmission in
Somerset, the expansion of the
port in New Bedford, and now the
groundbreaking in Salem,
Massachusetts is well-positioned to support the growing
offshore wind industry," said Governor Maura Healey. "These investments in
infrastructure are boosting the local economy, creating union jobs,
and transforming the way we power our homes and businesses. Credit
to Lieutenant Governor Driscoll for her vision, Mayor Pangallo for
securing a strong Community Benefits Agreement, and to the many
other stakeholders who are making the pivot to offshore wind."
"I'm thrilled to be able to finally see the Salem Offshore Wind
Terminal go from idea to reality. During my time in office, it was
clear that Salem, with its rich
maritime heritage and vibrant community, was the natural choice to
become a major offshore wind hub," said Lieutenant Governor
Kim Driscoll. "Now, as we tackle
pressing environmental challenges and drive local economic growth,
it's inspiring to see Salem
leading the way. This is a proud moment for our city, and I'm
honored to witness our vision come to life."
In February 2023, the
Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), Crowley Wind Services
and the City of Salem announced a
significant agreement for the transfer of ownership, site
improvements and ongoing operations at the Salem Offshore Wind
Terminal. This terminal will be one of the few locations capable of
supporting the construction and installation of fixed and floating
offshore wind projects. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, MassCEC and the U.S. Maritime
Administration have partnered with Crowley and the City of Salem on the terminal.
"The Salem Wind Terminal will be a historic achievement, and we
appreciate the trust and partnership by the City of Salem, Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the U.S. Maritime
Administration to create a world-class wind terminal that reliably
and safely serves the supply chain needs of the wind energy
industry," said Tom Crowley,
Chairman and CEO, Crowley
Corporation. "This public-private partnership in
Salem can be a model for
communities and the industry to follow to achieve our commitments
to create renewable, sustainable power."
The terminal will provide opportunities for jobs and prioritize
hiring local residents, especially those from underserved
backgrounds. This will include about 150 jobs during construction
and at least eight long-term Crowley employees to manage the
terminal during operations, with an additional 20-30 jobs operating
and maintaining the facility during busier periods. When projects
are underway, 60 to 150 jobs, from engineers to building trades,
will also be available through our tenants and their contractors.
Because building the workforce for this new industry is critical,
Crowley has already partnered with the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and Salem High
School to provide career training.
"We appreciate the trust and collaboration by many local, state
and federal stakeholders placed in Crowley Wind Services to develop
and operate the Salem Offshore Wind Terminal as a leading hub for
maritime and logistics services to help Massachusetts and New England reach their
clean energy goals," said Karl, President and CEO of Crowley Wind
Services Holdings LLC, a joint venture between Crowley and Morgan
Stanley Infrastructure Partners focused on repurposing and
operating existing U.S. port facilities to support wind energy.
"The terminal will provide an essential nexus that supports our
customers and the broader supply chain in our journey to deliver
low-cost, renewable energy. The partnerships we have established
across the industry will provide critical investments and jobs in
Salem and the North Shore for a
generation to come."
Crowley will be responsible for redeveloping and operating the
terminal. They have signed a lease with MassCEC to use the site as
an offshore wind marshalling port, with a focus on projects for
Massachusetts. The City of Salem has also leased a berth and
surrounding land for this purpose. Crowley's Wind Services will
improve the site by adding infrastructure for heavy equipment,
constructing a new ship berth, upgrading the City's existing berth,
and dredging the harbor channel. The wind port is expected to begin
operating in 2026.
"For centuries, when Salem
looked to the future, we've looked to the sea and what's possible
on its distant horizons," said Salem Mayor Dominick
Pangallo. "And, as a coastal city, we know full well the
cost of inaction when it comes to fighting our climate crisis. Now,
on the site where there was once one of the dirtiest coal power
plants in America, we're ready to do our part to achieve a clean
energy transition that will power our nation's future, create green
jobs, and strengthen our community for generations to come. We're
grateful to the Healey-Driscoll administration, Crowley, MassCEC,
and our community partners and officials who all made this day
possible."
"Turning this site from a dirty oil- and coal-fired plant into a
cutting-edge offshore wind terminal proves what we can achieve when
government, industry, and communities work together," said Energy
and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "Instead of hosting facilities
that pollute the air, Salem will
soon host a port that brings good jobs and an exciting new industry
to its shores. Offshore wind is essential for decarbonizing our
grid and meeting our ambitious climate goals, and port
infrastructure is an important part of that effort."
"Salem, with its rich coastal
heritage, is the perfect place for MassCEC to meaningfully invest.
By supporting the Salem Offshore Wind Terminal, we're not only
revitalizing Salem's waterfront
but also advancing Massachusetts'
clean energy future," said Massachusetts Clean Energy Center CEO
Dr. Emily Reichert. "This project
reflects our dedication to building the essential infrastructure,
strengthening our regional supply chain, nurturing the talent that
will elevate our state as a national leader in offshore wind."
About Crowley
Crowley is a privately held, U.S.-owned and -operated maritime,
energy and logistics solutions company serving commercial and
government sectors with $3.5 billion
in annual revenues, over 170 vessels mostly in the Jones Act fleet
and approximately 7,000 employees around the world – employing more
U.S. mariners than any other company. The Crowley enterprise has
invested more than $3.2 billion in
maritime transport, which is the backbone of global trade and the
global economy. As a global ship owner-operator and services
provider with more than 130 years of innovation and a commitment to
sustainability, the company serves customers in 36 nations and
island territories. Additional information about Crowley, its
business units and subsidiaries can be found at
http://www.crowley.com.
Media Contact
David DeCamp, Crowley,
9047274263, david.decamp@crowley.com, www.crowley.com
Torey Vogel, Crowley, 9047264536,
torey.vogel@crowley.com, www.crowley.com
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SOURCE Crowley