Auchincloss: Massachusetts Has ‘Biggest Offshore Wind Resource, Arguably, in the World’

During an appearance on WBSM’s SouthCoast Now, Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) discussed what he sees as the promise of the offshore wind industry that is making its mark in the Southeastern region of the Commonwealth.

Auchincloss represents Massachusetts' Fourth District in Congress, which includes the SouthCoast city of Fall River and surrounding communities such as Somerset. President Joe Biden paid a visit last year to Somerset's Brayton Point, where a major power source of offshore wind will be built.

“One of the areas that I’ve been heavily engaged in both as a convener, here in Massachusetts and as an advocate in Washington has been creating an offshore wind cluster,” Auchincloss said. “With New Bedford as one of the hubs, with Somerset, with Tufts University, all the way down frankly through Rhode Island and all the way down through New Jersey.” 

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The second-term Congressman said he’s pushing for the potential for offshore wind not just to erect the turbines but to foster growth for research and development, workforce development and a small business supply-chain ecosystem around the industry. 

“It’s not just an installation, it’s a maintenance, it’s an operation, and it’s an innovation play," Auchincloss said, describing offshore wind as a “win-win-win” for the Commonwealth.

“Because of where we sit geographically, we’re onshore of the biggest offshore wind resource arguably in the world here in Massachusetts," he said. "We’ve got a great opportunity not just to create new jobs but also to provide cheap, affordable, reliable electricity for Massachusetts.” 

During his appearance, Auchincloss also discussed his push for bipartisan tax reform, the U.S.'s geopolitical goals with respect to China and the ongoing war in Ukraine, and offered pointed criticism’s of 2024 Republican presidential candidates Ron DeSantis and Mike Pence. 

Listen to Rep. Auchincloss’ full interview on SouthCoast Now: