USC • May 30, 2024
An analysis released today by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) found that the risk of electricity blackouts over the winter—when energy demand is high during periods of extreme cold from December through February—decreases with the amount of offshore wind power deployed. UCS submitted the study to the Maine Governor’s Energy Office to inform a request for proposals that the Maine Public Utilities Commission will issue for developing and constructing offshore wind projects. The findings, however, should influence all New England states that are considering how to beef up winter electricity reliability and lower consumer costs.