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MASSACHUSETTS: Gov. Charlie Baker: Not concerned by Trumpโ€™s wind comment

August 29, 2019 โ€” The future of Vineyard Wind is on hold amid a longer-than-expected federal review and President Donald Trump dismissed wind power as costly โ€œdreamsโ€ this week, but Gov. Charlie Baker said he is not concerned that the government has any plans to block the offshore wind project.

Federal regulators, who have been auctioning off ocean tracts to wind energy developers, jolted the offshore wind industry this month when they announced that a key environmental impact statement Vineyard Wind needs to advance, originally expected by March 2020 at the latest, would be paused to allow for a broader study of the effects that such turbines would cause.

Baker, who moments earlier touted the implementation of a statewide partnership to enact a climate-resiliency plan, told reporters Wednesday that he remains confident about the projectโ€™s future, describing his conversations with Interior Secretary David Bernhardt and officials at the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management as productive despite the uncertainty.

Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times

Massachusetts governor signs bill, makes it legal to process lobster in state

August 2, 2019 โ€” It is now legal to process raw, shell-on lobster parts in Massachusetts, the USโ€™s second largest state for landings.

Charlie Baker, the stateโ€™s governor, on Wednesday signed the stateโ€™s $43.3 billion fiscal 2020 budget bill, which included a provision to end the decades-old prohibition, the Gloucester Daily Times reports.

Under the new measure, which went immediately into effect, wholesale seafood dealers licensed by the stateโ€™s Department of Public Health are permitted to process raw lobsters and import raw, shell-on lobster parts and tails. The change also allows for the retail sale of already-frozen raw, in-shell tails, the newspaper explains.

Read the full story at Undercurrent News

MASSACHUSETTS: Lobster processing claws its way into law

August 1, 2019 โ€” The long-sought measure to expand and modernize lobster processing regulations in Massachusetts is now law, as of Gov. Charlie Bakerโ€™s signature on Wednesday.

Baker, sparing the veto pen, opted to retain the modernized lobster processing regulations in the $43.3 billion state budget for fiscal year 2020, clearing the way for Massachusetts lobster processors to begin in-state transport and processing of raw, shell-on lobster parts.

โ€œWeโ€™re elated that the Legislature passed it and the governor signed it into law,โ€ said Beth Casoni, executive director of the Massachusetts Lobstermenโ€™s Association. โ€œThis will help the entire Massachusetts lobster industry compete with other states in the region.โ€

Under the measure, wholesale seafood dealers licensed by the state Department of Public Health will be able to process raw lobsters and import raw, shell-on lobster parts and tails. It also provides for the retail sale of already-frozen raw, in-shell tails.

Previously, Massachusetts laws allowed only the sale of live, cooked and canned lobster, as well as the processing and sale of frozen and cooked lobster tails.

Read the full story at the Gloucester Daily Times

Delay From Environmental Regulators Blows Vineyard Wind Off Course

July 31, 2019 โ€” Construction of the $2.8 billion Vineyard Wind, the nationโ€™s first utility-scale offshore wind farm, is on hold as developers wait for an environmental impact statement from federal regulators.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management does not technically have to submit the impact statement until early next year, but it was expected in mid-July, and regulators gave no reason for the delay.

An investigation by Reuters found that two other federal agencies โ€” the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Marine Fisheries Service โ€” refused to sign off on the projectโ€™s design, citing concerns over its impact on commercial fishing.

On Monday, Gov. Charlie Baker met with Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt in Washington, D.C., to urge movement on the project.

Read the full story at WBUR

Federal fisheries, energy agencies negotiate deadlock over Vineyard Wind

July 31, 2019 โ€” Gov. Charlie Baker and other Massachusetts politicians pushed federal officials to break a deadlock over the environmental review of the Vineyard Wind offshore energy project, amid the developerโ€™s warnings it needs an approval by the end of August.

But advocates for the commercial fishing industry say the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has failed to address issues raised by the NOAAโ€™s Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office in Gloucester, Mass.

Baker met Monday in Washington, D.C., with Interior Secretary David Bernhardt to urge progress on issuing a final environmental impact statement for the 84-turbine, 800-megawatt wind array planned on a federal lease about 15 miles south of Marthaโ€™s Vineyard.

โ€œI thought our meeting was a good one,โ€ Baker told radio station WBUR Tuesday. โ€œOur goal is to get as much clarity as possible and put together a plan because we really want this project to happen.โ€

Read the full story at National Fisherman

Gov. Charlie Baker is in Washington D. C. to push for the wind farm off the coast of Marthaโ€™s Vineyard

July 30, 2019 โ€” Governor Charlie Baker is in Washington D. C. Monday for talks with key White House officials to discuss plans to install a long-anticipated wind farm proposed in Marthaโ€™s Vineyard.

โ€œOur goal is going to be to get as much clarity as we can over the next several days and then work with Vineyard Wind to put together a cure plan because we really want this project to happen.โ€

His meeting will be with the Interior Secretary, David Bernhardt, who oversees the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. Construction of the wind farm is scheduled to begin Dec. 19.

Read the full story at MassLive

MASSACHUSETTS: Baker eyeing โ€˜cure planโ€™ for Vineyard Wind

July 30, 2019 โ€” After a โ€œreally productive and substantiveโ€ meeting with new U.S. Interior Secretary David Bernhardt in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Gov. Charlie Baker said his administration will be working with Vineyard Wind to address the federal governmentโ€™s concerns with the project in line to be the nationโ€™s first commercial-scale offshore wind development.

The federal government injected a level of uncertainty into Vineyard Wind, a $2.8 billion, 800-megawatt offshore wind project planned for the waters off Marthaโ€™s Vineyard, earlier this month when the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management notified project officials that the government was โ€œnot yet preparedโ€ to issue a final environmental impact statement, which had been expected this month.

โ€œWhat I was really seeking was some clarity so that we can work with Vineyard Wind and with our colleagues in the Congressional delegation and others to cure whatever the concerns are,โ€ Baker said Monday afternoon after his meeting with Bernhardt and before returning to D.C. for more meetings. He added, โ€œOur goal is going to be to get as much clarity as we can over the next several days and then work with Vineyard Wind to put together a cure plan, because we really want this project to happen.โ€

Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times

MASSACHUSETTS: Lobster bill survives budget deal Legislation to allow in-state sale, processing of unfrozen, shell-on, lobster parts

July 24, 2019 โ€” Itโ€™s now up to Gov. Charlie Baker to decide whether Massachusetts will allow more in-state lobster processing to make the Bay State lobster industry more competitive with its contemporaries in Maine and Canada.

The legislation to allow the in-state sale, transport and processing of unfrozen, shell-on lobster parts โ€” a persistent, years-long campaign by state Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr โ€” has survived the Massachusetts Legislatureโ€™s conference committee and is contained in the $43.1 billion budget awaiting Bakerโ€™s approval or veto.

The governor has 10 days to review and act on the budget prepared by the conference committee, which is comprised of representatives of the Senate and House. Any items vetoed by Baker are subject to legislative override, which would have to be initiated in the House and carry by a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate.

โ€œWe have the second-largest lobster catch in the nation, yet without this change in law, our raw and frozen lobster parts are processed in Canada or Maine, only to be brought back to local consumers,โ€ Tarr said in a statement. โ€œBy modernizing these lobster laws, we bolster the fishing industry, give consumers more choices and substantially support coastal fishing communities.โ€

Read the full story at the Gloucester Daily Times

MASSACHUSETTS: Lobster Processing Expansion Proposal Headed to Governorโ€™s Desk

July 22, 2019 โ€” The following was released by the Office Of The Massachusetts Senate Minority Leader Senator Bruce Tarr (R-MA):

The conference committee report on the state Fiscal Year 2020 budget, expected to be approved today by the legislature, contains a major provision to strengthen the Massachusetts lobster fishery, thanks to a persistent effort by the State Senate and Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr.

The long sought for change in law that has limited the sale, transport and processing of unfrozen shell-on lobster parts. Up to 80% of lobsters landed in the state are sent away for processing which experts say often means that Bay State lobsters are brought back for sale to consumers with a โ€˜Product of Canadaโ€™ label.

The State Senate had previously approved a similar measure authored by Gloucester Senator Bruce Tarr in 2016, 2017, and 2018. The Senate proposals have attracted a bi-partisan coalition of state Senators seeking to reform the outdated lobster processing laws and support economic opportunities to grow the industry and related jobs.

The state budget conference committee report adopted today gives final approval of the lobster language, which authorizes dealers licensed by the Department of Public Health, to proceed under the new framework.

While the sale of live, cooked, and canned lobster is legal in the state, the law currently requires Massachusetts lobstermen and seafood vendors to sell or transport lobster out-of-state for processing.

โ€œWe have the second-largest lobster catch in the nation yet, without this change in law, our raw and frozen lobster parts are processed in Canada or Maine only to then be brought back to local consumers,โ€ said Senator Tarr. โ€œBy modernizing these lobster laws we bolster the fishing industry, give consumers more choices, and sustainably support coastal fishing communities.โ€

โ€œThe Massachusetts Lobstermenโ€™s Association greatly appreciates Senator Tarrโ€™s commitment over the last several years to modernize the lobster processing laws here in the Commonwealth. We are excited to see full on lobster processing and sales of lobster items soon to help further grow the demands for Massachusetts lobster,โ€ said Beth Casoni, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Lobstermenโ€™s Association.

โ€œIโ€™m proud of the work the Senate has done to ensure the sustainability and viability of the stateโ€™s lobster industry, which will give consumers more choices and benefit lobstermen in coastal communities statewide,โ€ said Senate Committee on Ways and Means Chair Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport). โ€œThe lobster industry is a vital part of the Commonwealthโ€™s economy and identity, and I applaud Senator Tarr and my colleagues in the House and Senate for supporting it.โ€

A Division of Marine Fisheries issued a report recommending adoption of the proposal citing an evolving interest from consumers in value added lobster in the form of shell-on tails and claws. The report says that the global market for Massachusetts landed lobster would be more readily accommodated with the new law.

โ€œRemoving archaic barriers to lobster processing in Massachusetts is a big boost to New Bedfordโ€™s local economy where our businesses can finally expand and create the jobs,โ€ said Senator Montigny (D-New Bedford), lead cosponsor of the bipartisan effort. โ€œFor years, the Senate has repeatedly supported this policy and it is a relief that we can finally deliver it to the Governorโ€™s desk.โ€

Lawmakers say that shifting handling from Maine and Canada will boost the viability and prosperity of the industry which will result in job creation. The lobster industry is a critical part of the Commonwealthโ€™s economy and heritage with more than 900 licensed lobstermen landing

โ€œI am glad to join my colleagues in support of our Massachusetts lobster fishermen,โ€ said Senator deMacedo (R-Plymouth). โ€œThese advancements in our approach to lobster processing will provide an important benefit to the lobster industry and the fishermen who play such an important role in our communities and economy.โ€

Currently, up to 80% of lobsters landed in the state are sent to out of state processing facilities and industry leaders say the move will facilitate opportunities to create and grow jobs in the state. The Marine Fisheries report notes that the lobster demand has spiked and has continued to evolve in favor of processed lobster parts. The report noted that most US consumers do not know how to prepare live lobster and prefer processed lobster products.

โ€œEast Coast Seafood Group is very pleased that lobster processing expansion will now become law. We applaud Senator Tarr, The Baker-Polito administration and the bi-partisan effort to create jobs within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,โ€ said Bob Blais, Senior Vice President of East Coast Seafood Group. โ€œThe Law will further expand a multi-million dollar industry in the state, and most of all support the hardworking fishermen that drive this industry.โ€

The provision and the final version of the budget bill must still be approved by Governor Charlie Baker.

Baker, Vineyard Wind mum on Fedsโ€™ project guidance

July 18, 2019 โ€” The federal government has offered new โ€œguidanceโ€ on the Vineyard Wind offshore wind project, Gov. Charlie Baker said, but neither the governorโ€™s team nor project officials will talk about it.

The Baker administration chose Vineyard Wind in May 2018 for the stateโ€™s first commercial-scale offshore wind effort under a 2016 clean energy law and state officials are counting on the project to produce 800 megawatts of power and touting its importance to the stateโ€™s renewable energy portfolio. In April, state regulators approved long-term contracts between Vineyard Wind and the stateโ€™s electricity distribution companies.

But project officials announced last week that the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) was not ready, as Vineyard Wind expected it to be, to complete a critical final environmental impact statement.

A long delay could affect project financing, as well as plans to start construction later this year and become operational in 2021, but questions remain about the federal governmentโ€™s stance on the project.

In Connecticut on Tuesday, Baker said that his team and project officials have been given a clearer understanding of the issues in play, and are working this month to address them.

โ€œWeโ€™ve talked to the federal agencies about this,โ€ Baker said. โ€œTheyโ€™ve made pretty clear to us that the reason they didnโ€™t render a decision and the reason why they didnโ€™t put a date on rendering a decision was because they wanted to continue the dialogue and the discussion with Vineyard Wind around some of the outstanding issues and they gave Vineyard Wind and us a fair amount of guidance with respect to the things we should focus on and people are going to be focusing on those between now and the end of the month.โ€

On Wednesday, a Baker spokesman declined to comment when asked about the nature of the project guidance.

A Vineyard Wind spokesman also declined to comment when asked what the feds have told project officials.

Baker, who says Vineyard Wind will be the largest offshore wind project in the country and will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, on Wednesday said he thought the federal government treated offshore wind projects as โ€œstandalone, fact specific issues.โ€

Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times

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