Gov. Healey Touts Wind Energy In Trump Battle To Save MA Residents $1.4B

SALEM, MA — Gov. Maura Healey continued her push for wind turbine energy in her ongoing battle with the Trump Administration, with the activation of Vineyard Wind contracts this week that she said could save Massachusetts residents $1.4 billion over 20 years.

The contract is in addition to the up to $70 million proposed in the recent state supplemental budget to jump-start the Salem deep-water turbine port project, which threatened to stall under the Trump Administration's cuts and directives in the past year.

• $70M MA Funding Infusion To Support Salem Wind Port Project: Mayor Pangallo
  

"Vineyard Wind is a key part of our all-of-the-above strategy to lowering energy prices," Healey said in a news release. "Throughout one of the coldest winters in recent history, Vineyard Wind turbines powered our homes and businesses at a low price , and now that price goes even lower with the activation of these contracts.

"Especially as President Trump is taking energy sources off the table and increasing prices with his war in Iran, we should be leaning into more American-made wind power to lower costs, create jobs, and make our country energy independent."

She added that Massachusetts "is uniquely positioned to lead on this and deliver major savings to our residents."

The Healey Administration points to the potential of wind energy to produce at the highest levels during the coldest winter months. She said that — had the contracts been in place during the winter of 2024-25 — residents could have seen prices 11 percent less than volatile market rates.

She said these contracts are expected to provide customers in Massachusetts an average of 1.4 cents/kWh in direct bill savings – less than half of peak pricing from this winter.

Healey also touted the environmental impact of wind energy, with 4,000 new "clean energy" jobs created and the wind energy conserving more than 3.7 million barrels of oil annually.

She cited a recent report from Acadia Center, which found that, during the week-long deep freeze earlier this year, wind generation peaked, hitting near-record performance levels.

Vineyard Wind is located 14 miles off the coast of Massachusetts. It has been producing power since January 2024.