Lease Auctions

January 2, 2019 | Industry Updates

Going big on offshore wind – but not in Nantucket Sound

Boston Herald: “Going Big on Wind Power” By Marie Szaniszlo, December 22, 2018 – After a groundswell of opposition ultimately doomed Cape Wind’s plan to build a wind farm in Nantucket Sound, something stunning happened this month: Eleven developers vied for three tracts of ocean off Massachusetts’ coast in a two-day bidding war that resulted… More

January 30, 2015 | Industry Updates

Boston Globe: Wind power auction draws limited interest

By Dan Adams Globe Correspondent Are falling energy prices and the collapse of the Cape Wind project undermining other offshore wind projects? A federal government auction of four leases to build wind farms off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard drew little interest, selling for a fraction of what previous auctions raised recently. Just two of… More

January 29, 2015 | Industry Updates

Bloomberg News; 1/29/15 Massachusetts Wind Leases Sold for Fraction of Prior Sale Price

By Justin Doom (Bloomberg) — The U.S. Interior Department sold two leases to build wind farms off the coast of Massachusetts to the only two bidders and for a fraction of what the agency received from previous sales. RES America Inc. agreed to pay $281,285 for access to 187,523 acres and Offshore MW LLC is… More

January 11, 2015 | Industry Updates

Boston Herald: Wind energy shifts direction; Feds to auction sites off Martha’s Vineyard RIGHT WAY: Audra Parker, president of the Alliance to Save Nantucket Sound, says the sites off Martha’s Vineyard the federal government is auctioning off for wind energy development are superior to the Cape Wind site.

By: Lindsay Kalter With the Cape Wind project on the ropes, the industry’s future in Massachusetts may rest on a federal wind power auction later this month for a sprawling area off Martha’s Vineyard. Twelve companies have qualified to bid Jan. 29 as the federal government auctions four commercial leases for 742,000 acres of sea… More

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Q&A with Audra Parker, President & CEO

Together, we have made great strides in our mission to permanently protect Nantucket Sound. But, we need your continued support to leave a lasting legacy for our children and grandchildren. I encourage you to contribute to our preservation campaign. Nantucket Sound won’t stay a national treasure without your support.

Why is Nantucket Sound a national treasure? The Sound has a rich tribal and maritime history and has long been recognized as more than just a body of water. It is the heart and soul of the Cape and Islands. It is a significant marine habitat for a diversity of ecologically and economically important species. It provides a livelihood for local fishermen, an inspiration for artists, and is a source of solace, relaxation, and recreation for the millions that flock to its shores. Nantucket Sound connects all of us who live and visit here.

Why is Nantucket Sound still vulnerable to industrialization? While the state waters of the Sound are protected under Massachusetts law, the federal waters in the center remain open to industrial development.

How can we permanently protect Nantucket Sound? The best way to secure permanent protection for the Sound is through federal legislation. The Alliance has proposed the ‘Nantucket Sound National Historic Landmark Act’ which would recognize the Sound’s historic, environmental and economic values. It would also prevent future development by prohibiting industrial projects in the Sound.

What have we achieved since the defeat of Cape Wind? We made solid progress toward enacting this federal legislation. We worked closely with our federal delegation and built a strong and diverse coalition of support. We earned endorsements from Governor Baker, our local representatives and nearly 100 key stakeholder groups. This coalition of elected officials, environmental groups, municipalities, tribal governments, historic preservation groups, commercial fishermen, and many others, is urging our representatives in Washington, D.C. to enact the Nantucket Sound National Historic Landmark Act.

Why does the Alliance still need funding? The Alliance is the only group that is fighting to protect Nantucket Sound. As a non-profit, we rely solely on private donations. Thank you for your continued generosity as we work to Save Our Sound… FOREVER. Your tax-deductible donation today will leave a legacy for tomorrow.

Audra Parker
President and CEO