A Bedford environmental consultancy firm has been selected to complete an offshore wind assessment for the state. Normandeau Associates Inc. was awarded about $250,000 to complete the study and report.
The Executive Council approved the contract this month on the recommendation of the Department of Energy, which received bids from two other companies, Power Advisory and VHB.
Normandeau Associates is charged with evaluating how offshore wind development in the Gulf of Maine could impact New Hampshire’s economy, environment, and energy landscape. The company will be responsible for assessing offshore wind impacts on maritime industries, such as recreational and commercial fishing, boating, and nature viewing. It will also evaluate the effect of adding offshore wind power to the electric grid by looking at the “physical, economic, and financial performance of the electricity system,” according to the department’s request.
The contract will be paid with federal State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds made available by the American Rescue Plan Act.
Bidders were scored on employee qualifications, their proposed scope of work, experience, cost, and the clarity and quality of their proposals. Normandeau Associates received a score of 91 out of a possible 105, while Power Advisory received a 90, and VHB 77.
The contractor will immediately start work on the assessment and meet monthly with staff from both the Department of Energy and the Department of Environmental Services, according to the department’s request.