BUZZARDS BAY – Massachusetts Maritime Academy launched its offshore wind crew training facility Thursday afternoon.
The first of its kind in the nation, the facility is a part of the state’s ongoing effort to grow within the wind and blue economies.
Governor Charlie Baker, Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, and U.S. Representative Bill Keating were among the guests of the academy at a ceremony commemorating the occasion.
The Baker-Polito administration, along with the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, provided $1.73 million for the facility.
“We were literally, when we got into this, just trying to create an alternative energy source and demonstrate that it could be done in a way that would be affordable,” Baker said.
“The possibilities at this point and the opportunities that are associated with this go way past that.”
The training facility will aim to get workers into the field of alternative energy as it grows. Vineyard Wind is preparing to bring power to many local homes in the coming years, and other states have been quick to turn their attention to the blue economy.
Baker wants to make sure alternative energy jobs stay in Massachusetts.
“This is the start of something that’s very big, very sustainable, very important,” he continued.
The ceremony was done in association with the 2nd annual Massachusetts STEM Week.
About Brendan Fitzpatrick
