（Boston Orange編譯）麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）13日宣布，將和加拿大新斯科細亞省（Nova Scotia）合作，邀新英格蘭其他四州攜手，徵詢業界意見，研議開展風力發電家能及興建跨境輸電設施的可能性，以增加新英格蘭各州電力供應、降低能源成本。
奚莉州長和新斯科細亞省省長休斯頓（Tim Houston）今年2月簽署了合作備忘錄，雙方同意在離岸風電開發、輸電規劃、勞工培訓及經濟發展方面合作。這次邀緬因、康乃狄克、羅德島及佛蒙特等4州加入研議行列，把雙邊合作擴大為新英格蘭區域能源規劃。
這次發布的資訊徵詢書（Request for Information，RFI），主要希望了解業界在新斯科細亞省開發離岸風場，利用現有或新建輸電設施，把電力送進新英格蘭的可行性等能力及意願。評估內容包括輸電技術、成本及商業可行性，相關的港口研究、零件供應鏈及勞工培訓如何配合發展。
徵詢對象涵蓋風電開發商、供應鏈及港口業者、電力公司、電網營運商、工會、學術研究機構、環保及漁業團體，以及美國原住民族和加拿大第一民族團體。
紐英崙五州各有側重的參與考量。緬因州看重離岸風電研究及海洋產業基礎；康乃狄克州希望透過區域合作，取得更便宜、可靠且潔淨的電力；羅德島特別關注輸電基礎設施、成本及法規問題；佛蒙特州隨著能源使用從化石燃料轉向電力，未來需要更多大規模、價格合理的潔淨能源。佛蒙特州和新斯科細亞省還簽署了另外的合作備忘錄，探索經由該州輸送離岸風電的可能性。
奚莉州長表示，麻州需要更多價格合理且可靠的能源，與鄰近地區合作有助於增加供電、降低成本，也能為港口社區創造高薪工作。休斯頓省長指出，新斯科細亞省擁有全球最豐富的離岸風能資源之一，希望藉合作吸引投資、創造就業，並建立潔淨能源產業。
麻州能源資源廳長馬奧尼（Elizabeth Mahony）表示，麻州擁有港口、熟練勞工及離岸風電政策經驗，有條件參與這項跨境產業合作。麻州潔淨能源中心執行長唐寧（Ben Downing）也認為，雙方合作可望降低成本、創造就業，並提供更潔淨可靠的能源。
Massachusetts and Nova Scotia Take Next Step to Advance Atlantic Offshore Wind and Transmission Partnership
New request for information will explore opportunities to bring offshore wind power from Nova Scotia to New England, lower energy costs, and strengthen regional energy security
BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced a major step in strengthening Massachusetts’ relationship with Canada to expand access to affordable, reliable clean energy across New England. Massachusetts and Nova Scotia have issued a Request for Information (RFI) to gather input and explore opportunities to develop offshore wind projects in Nova Scotia that would deliver energy to New England through existing and new transmission infrastructure. Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston and Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper will speak at the New England-Canadian Business Council’s annual energy conference in Boston today to announce the partnership, building on the Memorandum of Understanding signed by Governor Maura Healey and Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston in February to strengthen regional cooperation on offshore wind development, transmission planning, workforce development and economic growth.
“We need more affordable, reliable energy, and that's going to take working with our neighbors,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Massachusetts and Nova Scotia have a strong partnership, and we're building on that relationship to explore new opportunities to bring offshore wind power to New England. This work has the potential to lower energy costs, strengthen our energy supply and create good-paying jobs in our port communities. We're excited to take this next step together.”
“Nova Scotia has some of the strongest offshore wind resources in the world and a long history of supplying energy beyond our borders,” said Premier Tim Houston. “Through our partnership with Massachusetts, we are exploring opportunities that could create jobs, attract investment, and help establish Nova Scotia as a clean energy leader. This request for information is an important step in understanding how we can work together to realize that potential.”
The RFI is an early, concrete step under the Memorandum of Understanding executed between Governor Healey and Premier Houston. The RFI, issued with participation from Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Vermont, recognizes the increasingly regional and interconnected nature of New England and Eastern Canada. A wide range of stakeholders are invited to provide input, including developers, supply chain and port entities, utilities and system operators, labor organizations, academic and research institutions, environmental and fisheries stakeholders, and tribal and first nations groups. The RFI will help the region understand the market’s interest and capacity to develop offshore wind in Nova Scotia and the technical and commercial feasibility of transmission pathways to New England. In addition, the RFI will explore opportunities to strengthen the regional offshore wind economy through continued collaboration on supply chains, ports, and workforce development.
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