Susanne H. Conley @capecodconley - Twitter Profile

Maura Healey likes to repeatedly claim that Vineyard Wind will power 400,000 Massachusetts homes. That would require 800 megawatts of electrical generation. Let’s do some math. Vineyard Wind has constructed 62 turbines, each with the capacity to produce 13 megawatts of power (62 x 13 = 806). Ask AI how much electricity is needed to power 400,000 homes. Surprise! The answer is 800. Here’s the rub; Vineyard Wind’s nameplate capacity is 806 MW, but operational capacity, as the project’s representatives repeatedly told the public during community meetings, is half that (31 x 13 =403). Now we’re down to 200,000 homes. Our regular monitoring of the Vineyard Wind project indicates that the number of turbines operating ranges from zero to, tops, twenty-one on a daily basis. That might be because of the numerous mechanical and construction issues plaguing the project, as enumerated by Vineyard Wind in their ongoing lawsuit against their main contractor, GE Vernova, so even 200,000 homes is a stretch. Nevertheless, Massachusetts has approximately 3.05 million homes; even at full operational output, we’re talking 5.7% of the state’s homes. But wait! Electrons race to shore and go where they will. They don’t stay on Cape Cod, where Vineyard Wind’s massive ocean wind farm cables come in under a recreational beach, and they don’t necessarily stay in Massachusetts. The power flows into the ISO New England regional grid. There are 6.86 million homes in the six states. Vineyard Wind, with as yet to be seen operational capacity, could therefore power 2.9% of those households. Is that worth the many costs of ocean industrialization, damage to the environment, and risks to human health and safety onshore? Does the current governor know how much her cheerleading for the Vineyard Wind project is wildly exaggerated? The current occupant of the corner office is either an incompetent fool or an inveterate liar. Either way, it’s way past time for a new governor — let’s make it happen in November. Elect Mike Minogue governor. @mikeminoguema @CapeCodCitizens