Don’t lose sight of wind power gains

Connecticut has made real strides in moving toward a green energy future. Along multiple pathways, the state is working to limit emissions and move toward a 21stcentury economy less dependent on fossil fuels. That will have benefits for the environment, and also help put the state on better economic footing.

But it hasn’t been a smooth path on every front. Among the highest-profile efforts has been an embrace of wind power, with the State Pier in New London to be a central hub in a growing industry. Announced by Gov. Ned Lamont in 2019, the plan was to turn the location into “a world-class, state-of-the-art port facility through combined public-private investment of $93 million to upgrade its infrastructure and heavy-lift capability,” according to the state.

Three years later, those projections look woefully inadequate. The state recently approved yet another round of new funding for the project, bringing the total upwards of $255 million. Officials swear this is the end of the additional money needed.

The project has been plagued with trouble from the start. Under previous leadership, the state Port Authority was found in an audit to have a lack of clear guidelines on spending, leading to waste. The quasi-public nature of the authority has also come into question, with a lack of understanding on the part of the public of just who reports to whom and what officials can be held to account. It’s a system that has long been ripe for reform.

Without question, the state pier project is complicated, with no end to moving parts. There’s dredging required in the Thames River, outdated infrastructure and other obstacles. Connecticut is looking to take a giant leap into a new industry for which it wasn’t adequately prepared, and officials should have done a better job of preparing cost estimates at the outset.

At the same time, the State Contracting Standards Board has made attempts over the past three years to investigate contracts agreed to by the Port Authority, but says it has been held back by a lack of staff. The state needs to ensure that its watchdogs are properly funded if it wants to keep important projects on track.

The issue has made its way into the state governor’s race, with challenger Bob Stefanowski decrying the increasing costs and Lamont declaring he’s “mad as hell” at the increasing cost projections for the project. Even at a time of swelling state coffers, government waste remains a potent topic, and it’s up to elected officials to ensure taxpayer dollars are being spent wisely. This will not be the last time this project makes news.

Even amid the stumbles, however, this remains a project that is vital to Connecticut’s future. The era of burning fossil fuels is coming to an end, and wind power is among the most promising avenues for generating the power we need to support our lifestyle. The turbines will not be located in Long Island Sound, but further out in the Atlantic to take advantage of the open ocean.

This is the way forward for Connecticut. The cost overruns must be held in check, and better oversight going forward is necessary. But the current troubles must not lead to an abandonment of the industry.

The state needs to ensure that its watchdogs are properly funded if it wants to keep important projects on track.