AS WE AWAIT the finalization of Gov. Maura Healey’s new offshore wind contracts, the Massachusetts Interagency Offshore Wind Council has requested public comments on these plans to implement offshore wind in Massachusetts. Many residents, especially from Cape Cod, have registered strong opposition.
Eco-Nuclear Solutions is concerned that the reliance on offshore wind will deprive the Commonwealth of more reliable, affordable, and ecologically-acceptable sources of electricity.
There are also still many unanswered questions about offshore wind. Construction costs have massively increased and we seem captured by this one technology. Why aren’t we assessing other energy solutions? When will we know the total costs, including transmission and delivery, of offshore wind and the total amount of subsidies?
Offshore wind also requires natural gas backup, yet the plan is to eliminate fossil fuels. How would that work in practice? Wind is intermittent and unpredictable, complicating grid management and duplicating costs. How will this unnecessary complexity impact our already-high electricity bills?
ISO-New England, the regional grid operator, has 2024 data showing periods of little wind in July extending for 22 days requiring immediate backup. Battery backup would not work during this period because a 100-hour battery discharge would still leave us with 18 days of insufficient energy and dead batteries. What backs up batteries if we have no natural gas?
During a New England winter, with little sun, low wind generation could result in lengthy blackouts, which could be costly and even deadly to residents. Are we willing to take this risk? In high-wind storms, turbines must be turned off to prevent equipment damage. Why is this not commonly known?
Given the debris from one broken blade, what will be the result when a hurricane hits 2,500 turbines? Who will be responsible, physically and fiscally, for cleanup? And, more importantly, what will provide interim electricity?
Wind turbines have a lifespan of 20-30 years. What is the cost of replacement? Who will pay to remove “old” turbines? Removal and disposal are expensive.
We do not have reliable data to determine the impact of construction and operation on whales, other marine species, birds, and the fishing industry. Is this a massive ecological experiment?
Are we confident that putting all our eggs into the renewables basket is the best path forward? Shouldn’t we diversify our energy sources?
Nuclear power is a readily available, reliable, and a proven source of clean energy that deserves a second look. It provides stable base-load energy 24/7 regardless of weather, season, or time of day – and requires no backup.
Nuclear power plants require significant upfront capital, but so do offshore wind installations now. The main difference is that nuclear plants have life spans of 80-100 years while offshore wind installations require replacement every 20-30 years. Are these costs factored into the calculations?
Nuclear power is experiencing a worldwide renaissance, as more countries realize renewables cannot meet the demand for clean energy. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm has called for an additional 200 nuclear plants to meet our 2050 goals. Isn’t it time for Massachusetts to adjust their 2050 Roadmap?
Eco-Nuclear Solutions respectfully asks Massachusetts to take a break and carefully consider our path forward. The decisions we make today will have an enormous impact on our future and our children’s future. Have we made decisions that will stand up to scrutiny as the years unfold? Are we rushing into plans to meet an arbitrary deadline?
Let’s take time to do it right and consider the full impact of each potential energy source on the planet and on the economy – from mining, manufacturing, installation, land/ocean use, operation, waste, and disposal – to minimize our footprint on earth and maximize prosperity for all people. We have a responsibility to do this, even if it means delaying our 2050 goals.
Marcia Young wrote this article on behalf of the steering committee of Eco-Nuclear Solutions, a local grassroots organization of scientists, engineers and environmentalists who advocate for nuclear power.
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