October 9, 2018 — Massachusetts offshore wind developer Vineyard Wind has entered into a host community agreement (HCA) with the Town of Barnstable. The agreement, which has been filed with the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB), represents another milestone for the United States’ first large-scale offshore wind farm as it advances through the permitting process to the onset of construction in 2019 and operations by 2021.
The HCA requires Vineyard Wind to make annual payments to Barnstable of at least $1.534 million each year in combined property taxes and host community payments. The pact guarantees a total Host Community Payment of $16 million, plus an additional $60,000 (adjusted for inflation annually), for each year the project is in operation beyond 25 years.
The HCA also provides opportunity for detailed review of Vineyard Wind’s specifications for a new substation by the Town, further ensuring protection of groundwater along with reliable delivery of clean energy to serve over 400,000 Massachusetts homes and businesses.
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