The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced a major step in strengthening Massachusetts’ relationship with Canada to expand access to affordable, reliable clean energy across New England.

Next Step in a Growing Cross-Border Partnership

Massachusetts and Nova Scotia have issued a Request for Information (RFI) to gather input and explore opportunities to develop offshore wind projects in Nova Scotia that would deliver energy to New England through existing and new transmission infrastructure.

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston and Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper are speaking at the New England-Canadian Business Council’s annual energy conference in Boston to announce the partnership.

The announcement builds on the Memorandum of Understanding signed by Governor Maura Healey and Premier Houston in February to strengthen regional cooperation on offshore wind development, transmission planning, workforce development, and economic growth.

“This RFI is an early, concrete step under the Memorandum of Understanding executed between Governor Healey and Premier Houston,” according to the announcement.

Regional Scope and Stakeholder Engagement

The RFI was issued with participation from Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Vermont and recognizes the increasingly regional and interconnected nature of New England and Eastern Canada.

A wide range of stakeholders are invited to provide input, including developers, supply chain and port entities, utilities and system operators, labor organizations, academic and research institutions, environmental and fisheries stakeholders, and tribal and First Nations groups.

The RFI is intended to help the region understand the market’s interest and capacity to develop offshore wind in Nova Scotia and the technical and commercial feasibility of transmission pathways to New England.

In addition, the RFI will explore opportunities to strengthen the regional offshore wind economy through continued collaboration on supply chains, ports, and workforce development.

Governor Healey Points to Costs, Supply, and Jobs

“We need more affordable, reliable energy, and that's going to take working with our neighbors,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Massachusetts and Nova Scotia have a strong partnership, and we're building on that relationship to explore new opportunities to bring offshore wind power to New England. This work has the potential to lower energy costs, strengthen our energy supply and create good-paying jobs in our port communities. We're excited to take this next step together.”

Premier Houston framed the initiative in terms of Nova Scotia’s resources and economic ambitions. “Nova Scotia has some of the strongest offshore wind resources in the world and a long history of supplying energy beyond our borders,” he said.

“Through our partnership with Massachusetts, we are exploring opportunities that could create jobs, attract investment, and help establish Nova Scotia as a clean energy leader. This request for information is an important step in understanding how we can work together to realize that potential.”

Supporting Voices From Across New England

Statements of support came from labor and state energy officials in the participating states.

Frank Callahan, President of the Massachusetts Building Trades Unions, said, “We’ve worked hard to make sure clean energy is a union industry. We saw Vineyard Wind sustain thousands of good jobs along the South Coast. We need to continue to push this industry forward to support good union careers now and into the future. We look forward to continued partnership with the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Nova Scotia.”

Celina Cunningham, Acting Commissioner of the Maine Department of Energy Resources, emphasized the value of coordination: “Maine recognizes the value of regional coordination with our partners across New England and Canada. This RFI provides an opportunity to further explore the potential for responsible offshore wind in the region that supports energy affordability and economic growth. Maine’s leadership in offshore wind research combined with our marine-focused industries positions us well to advance the state’s interests as the region considers these opportunities.”

From Connecticut, Acting Commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Emma Cimino said, “Connecticut is committed to working with our regional and Canadian partners to explore innovative approaches to advancing offshore wind and strengthening New England’s energy future. This RFI will help inform our continued, collective efforts to secure a more affordable, reliable, and increasingly clean power grid for our state and region.”

Rhode Island’s Acting Commissioner of the Office of Energy Resources, Chris Kearns, said his state “continues to work with our regional partners to explore opportunities that can strengthen and diversify New England’s energy supply and support our respective long-term energy goals.”

He added, “This request for information will help us better understand the potential for offshore wind development in Nova Scotia, including the infrastructure, costs, and regulatory considerations associated with delivering that energy into New England. Regional energy coordination and collaboration are critical as we evaluate possible options.”

What Comes Next

The RFI marks an information-gathering phase rather than a procurement. By soliciting input from developers, utilities, labor, ports, environmental and fisheries stakeholders, and tribal and First Nations groups, the participating governments aim to gauge market interest, assess transmission feasibility, and identify opportunities for collaboration on supply chains, ports, and workforce development.

The announcement was made at the New England-Canadian Business Council’s annual energy conference in Boston, where Premier Houston and Secretary Tepper are presenting the next phase of the partnership formally established through the February Memorandum of Understanding.

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