Courtney Statement as Army Corps Approves Federal Permit to Begin Work for Revitalization of State Pier New London

NORWICH, CT – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) welcomed announcement today by the Connecticut Port Authority that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has approved the federal permits that that will allow for the long-awaited redevelopment and revitalization of State Pier New London. The permit issued by the Army Corps to the Connecticut Port Authority (CPA) allows for segments of the existing pier to be removed, and for work to begin on upgrading the pier into a modern structure capable of acting as a central hub for New England in the emerging clean energy manufacturing and offshore wind development industry.

"Today's milestone will start the physical transformation of State Pier that will connect New London to our nation's burgeoning new green economy, which will be at the center of growth in the 21^st Century," said Rep. Courtney. "Today's announcement is the result of years of work and collaboration to modify and improve the configuration of the pier, as well as its financial contribution to the city of New London, so that it will now co-exist with the city, the maritime economy, and rail infrastructure in a fair and equitable manner. At the national level, this project is a posterchild example of how the federal renewable energy tax credits—which were extended in December 2020—can stimulate private investment in the offshore wind energy sector. That incentive, along with Governor Lamont's stalwart involvement and Mayor Passero's tenacious efforts to make sure New London will share in this new opportunity, is what's helped bring us to this point today."

"Everywhere you look up and down the Thames River, cranes are rising and people are working to reshape the waterfront and prepare our region for the future," Courtney added. "With these permit approvals, State Pier will see the improvements needed not just to embrace offshore wind but to make the port a state of the art facility for decades to come."

"This project positions New London to become the premier commercial east coast hub for the offshore wind sector," Governor Lamont said. "Connecticut remains a leader in the transition to renewable energy and the fight against climate change. This exciting opportunity was enabled by the efforts of the Connecticut Port Authority and remains supported by a project management team composed of leadership and staff from our administration. The local investment, job growth, and development opportunities associated with this project are real, as evidenced by the Economic Development Administration's recent announcement of a competitive grant award supporting the offshore wind supply chain to the South Eastern Connecticut Enterprise Region. I am proud to see this project advancing, and I am especially proud of our private sector partners working with us to make this project a reality."

"The recent decision by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers represents an exciting step forward to finally getting this State Pier project off the ground and creating a significant economic development opportunity for New London," said Mayor Passero. "Our city may not be large, but it has always played a major role in Connecticut, punching above its weight, and now the eyes of the world will be on our city as we become a hub for the production of technology to support renewable energy. I thank Governor Ned Lamont and Congressman Joe Courtney for their partnership and ensuring New London had a seat at the table throughout this entire process."

Rep. Courtney has worked for years to grow and support eastern Connecticut's maritime economy and manufacturing workforce, and to prepare the region to take on major economic opportunities. Courtney secured some of the first-ever federal funding to kickstart EWIB's Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative (MPI) in 2015. In his dual role as a senior member of the House Education and Labor Committee and Chairman of the House Seapower Subcommittee, he's advanced legislation to reinvest in and expand apprenticeship programs, and to support eastern Connecticut's undersea logistics industry.

Just last week, Courtney helped announce that seCTer, one of eastern Connecticut's largest economic engines, has been awarded $500,000 in federal funding and named as a finalist by the Department of Commerce for up to $100 million for wind energy workforce development grants. These grants are being issued as part of the Department's American Rescue Plan-funded "Build Back Better Regional Challenge", and are authorized specifically for projects designed to accelerate economic growth in coordination with industry and community partners. The application submitted to the Department of Commerce by seCTer would bring historic support home to develop eastern Connecticut's clean energy manufacturing workforce and industry, and was modeled after the successful design of the EWIB's now-nationally recognized MPI.

The application was submitted with the support of Rep. Courtney along with a coalition of Offshore Wind Industry Cluster members—click here to read more. seCTer's application was named as one of fifty finalists, from a pool of more than 500 in all fifty states—a sign, Courtney noted, that eastern Connecticut has positioned itself well to take on emerging opportunities like offshore wind development.

Congressman Courtney has worked to support the State Pier project by:

• Pushing for changes in the initial design of the project that would have hampered operations at Cross Sound Ferry, resulting in design changes that both eliminated possible conflicts.
• Brokering an agreement to retain the intermodal connectivity between the port and the New England Central Rail (NECR) line which just completed an upgrade for the first time in 100 years partly funded by a federal grant that Courtney secured. Click here to read more.
• Passing federal legislation to deauthorize a small part of the federal channel in the Thames River between the two existing piers to support the creation of a single large pier to enable heavy lift cargo operations – critical not just to the offshore wind industry but to future cargo opportunities.
• Supporting and securing a five-year extension of federal offshore wind development tax credits, which was not anticipated by the industry and provides a significant financial boost to offshore wind developers.
• Encouraging officials with the City of New London, State of Connecticut, Eversource and Orsted to complete a long-overdue Host Community Agreement that ensures the city is fairly compensated for the significant scope of work planned at State Pier.
• Supporting the manufacturing workforce necessary to take on the many job opportunities called for in regional economic efforts such as clean energy and offshore wind development. Last week, Courtney helped announce the award of $500,000 to seCTer—one of eastern Connecticut's largest economic engines—as they were selected as a nationwide finalist in the running for up to $100 million from the Department of Commerce to invest in clean energy and wind energy manufacturing workforce development.

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