Ørsted Announces $2 million to Support Connecticut Community Action Agencies Through Starboard Wind Project
Funding will provide ratepayer assistance, weatherization upgrades, additional support for underserved communities
HARTFORD, CONN. – May 23, 2024 – New England’s offshore wind leader Ørsted today announced $2 million in funding for the Thames Valley Council for Community Action and the Community Renewal Team as part of its proposed Starboard Wind project. If Starboard Wind is selected to move forward, Ørsted will provide the following:
- $1 million to the Community Renewal Team (CRT) to support ratepayer relief for low-income residents, workforce development, and other services.
- $1 million to the Thames Valley Council for Community Action (TVCAA) to support low-income residents with an energy assistance fund, energy efficiency and electrification upgrades, childcare programming, and more.
“Our mission at Ørsted is not only to build clean energy infrastructure that delivers jobs and economic development, but to ensure that our projects bring tangible benefits in other ways to the communities where we operate,” said David Ortiz, Ørsted’s Head of Government Affairs and Market Strategy for the Northeast. “Partnering with TVCCA and CRT allows us to deepen the impact we’re making in Connecticut communities. We are committed to supporting Connecticut's transition to a sustainable future and enhancing the quality of life for its residents."
The community partnerships with CRT and TVCAA will provide a range of support services, including weatherization programs, direct ratepayer assistance, workforce development, and childcare services. These initiatives are designed to empower communities and promote sustainable development as Connecticut progresses toward its clean energy goals.
Ørsted’s proposed 1,184-megawatt (MW) Starboard Wind project would deliver clean and reliable offshore wind power to Connecticut at stable and predictable pricing for decades. If selected, Starboard Wind would bring nearly $420 million of direct investment and expenditure to Connecticut, driving in-state and regional job creation while bolstering State Pier’s key role in the U.S. offshore wind supply chain. The project would result in more than 800 full-time equivalent positions, many of which would be based at the New London State Pier.
“The collaboration with Ørsted represents a significant step forward in our mission to fight poverty and help our community thrive,” said TVCCA CEO Joshua Kelly. “With Ørsted’s support, we can enhance our workforce development programs and other essential wraparound services and continue to offer essential services that make a real difference in the lives of many individuals and families across Connecticut.”
“Ørsted's Starboard Wind proposal will enable us to expand our efforts in providing critical services such as weatherization, directly addressing the needs of our community and paving the way for a more resilient future,” said Lena Rodriguez, President and CEO of CRT.
Offshore construction is underway for the 704 MW Revolution Wind project, a joint venture between Ørsted and Eversource. Revolution Wind will deliver 304 MW of clean, affordable offshore wind power to Connecticut and another 400 MW to Rhode Island, powering more than 350,000 New England homes. Revolution Wind’s turbine components are being marshaled out of State Pier in New London, Connecticut, and the project is expected to be in operation in 2025.
Additional information about Ørsted and Starboard Wind can be found at us.orsted.com/starboard-wind.
About Ørsted
A global clean energy leader, Ørsted develops, constructs, and operates offshore and land-based wind farms, solar farms, energy storage facilities, and bioenergy plants. Ørsted was the first energy company in the world to have its science-based net-zero emissions target validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and is recognized as the world’s most sustainable energy company in the Corporate Knights Global 100 index.
In the United States, the company has a portfolio of clean energy assets and partnerships that includes offshore wind energy, land-based wind energy, solar, battery storage and e-fuels. Ørsted is a U.S. leader in offshore wind energy with approximately 3 gigawatts in development and operates America’s first offshore wind farm, located off the coast of Block Island. Ørsted has a total U.S. land-based capacity of 5 gigawatts across wind, solar, storage technologies and e-fuels. To learn more about the Ørsted U.S. business, visit us.orsted.com or follow the company on Twitter (@OrstedUS), Instagram, and Facebook.
About TVCCA
TVCCA is the federally designated Community Action Agency (CAA) for southeastern CT, with most of its programs covering the 21 towns of New London County and other programs covering larger portions of eastern Connecticut. TVCCA offers assistance in areas such as housing, home heating, food and nutrition, employment and professional development, early childhood education, woman and infant care, and other community services. In 2023, the agency employed approximately 350 individuals, the agency’s volunteer partners invested over 63,000 volunteer hours into the community, and the agency as a whole invested over $40 million in staff time and direct assistance into southeastern Connecticut. To learn more, visit https://www.tvcca.org/.
About CRT
As the designated community action agency for both Hartford and Middlesex Counties, the Community Renewal Team (CRT) is dedicated to helping people take steps toward healthy and economically stable futures. Since 1963, our 501(c)3 nonprofit organization has partnered with local elected officials, providers, funders, businesses and the community to address challenges like hunger, homelessness, unemployment and poverty. Together, we increase access to education, affordable housing, mental health services and much more for thousands of individuals and families throughout Central Connecticut each year. For more information visit https://www.crtct.org.
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