May 2013
Governor Deval Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray broke ground on the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal, which will become the first port in the United States equipped to support offshore wind turbine deployment. The new terminal will solidify Massachusetts' role as a leader in clean energy and energy efficiency.
“Investing in infrastructure just like this creates jobs now and a stronger Commonwealth for the next generation,” said Governor Patrick. “This is how Massachusetts claims its place as a hub for a new American industry.”;
“With over 350 years of maritime history, New Bedford remains one of the most important commercial ports along the East Coast,” said Lieutenant Governor Murray. “By breaking ground on this major project, this multi-purpose terminal will not only provide the harbor with new shipping and cargo capacity but also support clean energy initiatives significant to not only this region, but our Commonwealth and country.”;
The terminal project builds upon the Administration's continued commitment to investing in infrastructure to create growth and opportunity, creating jobs now and strengthening the Commonwealth for the next generation.
“Not only will this development create local jobs and help to support a home-grown source of clean energy, it will produce environmental benefits for New Bedford Harbor,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan, who serves as the Chairman of the Board of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC).
This multi-purpose facility will also be able to handle high-volume bulk and container shipping, as well as large specialty marine cargo. The first-of-its kind in North America, the terminal will be engineered to sustain mobile crane and storage loads that rival the highest capacity ports in the world.
As part of construction, the project includes the dredging and removal of approximately 250,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment, a significant environmental benefit to the city of New Bedford.
Offshore wind represents the largest potential new energy source for Massachusetts and for much of the East Coast. By some estimates, Massachusetts’ offshore wind resources could power close to half of the households in Massachusetts. The development of the offshore wind industry in Massachusetts can create a significant new industry in the Commonwealth to anchor the sector. The U.S. Department of Energy projects 43,000 clean energy jobs will be created in the offshore wind industry nationally by 2020.
“This event marks the birth of the offshore wind industry in the United States,” said MassCEC CEO Alicia Barton. "Massachusetts is a good home base for this sector with major infrastructure investments like this one, an innovative business culture, world-class research centers, a skilled workforce and access to capital."
The terminal, which will be located inside New Bedford Harbor and protected by the hurricane barrier, will be in close proximity to offshore wind planning areas along the East Coast that are under consideration for development. The federal government is leading an offshore wind permitting and leasing process in nine states, including Massachusetts, along the Atlantic Coast. That process is expected to lead to the construction of multiple projects, many of which could make use of the terminal, which has an estimated cost of $100 million.
“Fostering New Bedford’s emerging role as a leader in new maritime related industries such as wind and renewable energy and cargo transportation is vital to New Bedford’s economic revival and the creation of new jobs for area residents,” said Senator Mark Montigny. “The South Terminal project makes New Bedford the preeminent port on the East Coast for wind turbine deployment and short sea cargo transportation and will ensure that the New Bedford area becomes a leader in both industries thus providing long term economic benefits for the future.”;
“This transformative development project will create hundreds of jobs in New Bedford, and position our community to take advantage of the growing green energy sector,” said Representative Antonio Cabral. “I look forward to working with the Patrick-Murray Administration to make this economic investment a reality.”;
"I'm glad to see this kind of progress made on what I feel is the single greatest government investment in the City of New Bedford in the last century,” said Representative Chris Markey. "This is a credit to all of the federal, state and local partners who have contributed so much in the past two and a half years, chief among them Governor Patrick."
“Governor Patrick, Secretary Sullivan, and the MassCEC have been terrific partners to the City of New Bedford,” said New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell. “They have had the vision to see the unique advantages that give New Bedford a leg-up on the competition in the race to develop the offshore wind industry. The combination of their leadership, and our commitment as a community, have made New Bedford the odds-on favorite to become the birthplace of the industry in North America
“This represents a smart investment for our Nation,” said New Bedford City Council President Bruce Duarte, Jr. “This project gives the City of New Bedford an opportunity for many well-paying jobs for our residents as well as a new industry for our nation that will make us less reliant on foreign energy sources. I personally want to thank the Governor and his team for his vision on this well thought out project.”;
“This project has the potential for the kind of economic impact our city hasn't seen since the era of textile manufacturing. Careers in welding, electro-mechanical drafting, and all the associated service positions to go along with it,” said New Bedford City Councilor Henry Bousquet. "The fact that it’s good for our environment is just the tip of the iceberg."
“Today's announcement is an investment in the future of New Bedford, the South Coast, and the State of Massachusetts,” said New Bedford City Councilor Joseph Lopes. “The New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal will provide this region with continued economic development opportunities.”;
PATRICK-MURRAY ADMINISTRATION SUPPORTS FREIGHT RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS TO SPUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
2012-2013 Industrial Rail Access Program (IRAP) Recipients Announced
May 2013
Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray today joined MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard Davey and local officials to announce this year’s Industrial Rail Access Program (IRAP) recipients operating in Massachusetts in a visit to the south coast, where three of the recipients are located.
“As part of the Massachusetts State Rail Plan, we are focused on increasing access for freight rail service to support regional economic growth,” said Lieutenant Governor Murray. “By investing in these projects, we are upgrading the Commonwealth’s freight rail network which will not only attract new business and jobs, but also promote a more efficient transportation of goods and services.”;
“Our team has closely vetted the recipient proposals to assure conformity with local and regional transportation plans as well as economic development initiatives,” said Secretary Davey. “We will monitor closely the completion and success of these projects.”;
The MassDOT Industrial Rail Access Program was created through the 2012 Transportation Bond Bill to provide grants to railroads, rail shippers and municipalities who identify a public benefit that will be gained through the improved use of the rail transportation network or that will facilitate economic growth through access to rail assets within the Commonwealth.
“Investing in transportation infrastructure is an important part of the Patrick-Murray Administration’s effort to create economic opportunity for everyone,” said Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Greg Bialecki. “By improving access to freight rail, we are creating opportunities to make it easier and more cost-effective for companies to do business throughout Massachusetts.”;
“The grants made today will further expand the use of rail in the Commonwealth for both the movement of freight and passengers," said Senator Mark Montigny. “The economic and environmental impact of smart rail growth has far reaching and beneficial consequences for the state.”
“I want to thank the Patrick-Murray Administration for their continued commitment to strengthening New Bedford’s infrastructure,” said Representative Antonio Cabral. “These state dollars mean jobs for our City. The Legislature will continue to work with the Administration on important initiatives like the Industrial Rail Access Program.”;
The IRAP recipients reflect a wide range of projects, which meet the program objectives of improved use of the rail network while facilitating economic growth. The total amount awarded is $2.85 million; the matching funds listed are covered by each applicant. Recipients include:
Church Street LLC & Frade’s Disposal on the Mass Coastal in New Bedford Frade’s provides disposal services for commercial, industrial and construction paper shredding and recycling services to customers in southeastern Massachusetts.They seek to add a rail siding to better serve their transportation needs.
This project will construct a 3,000-foot railroad siding, install a switch, construct a rail served loading dock and improve a private railroad crossing. The project has the potential to generate 800 carloads.
IRAP Award: $427,500
Match $285,000
Total Project Cost: $712,500
Maritime Terminal on the Mass Coastal Railroad in New Bedford Maritime Terminal is a cold storage company in the Port of New Bedford. They receive over 100 refrigerated railcars per year at an offsite location and currently truck the contents to the warehouse for storage.
This project will rehabilitate an existing rail spur and loading dock at their warehouse. The project is crucial to properly serve this important rail market and to reduce the number of truck movements.
IRAP Award: $65,889
Match $43,926
Total Project Cost: $109,816
Covanta SEMASS on the Mass Coastal Railroad in Rochester The Covanta SEMASS in Rochester is a waste-to-energy facility that processes approximately 1.1 million tons of municipal solid waste that is generated in eastern Massachusetts.
This project will install a switch and approximately 400 feet of track into an existing truck load out bay on the SEMASS facilities tipping floor. The project will allow Covanta SEMASS to continue shipping 40 rail cars per year of Non-Ferrous metals as well as potentially 350 rail cars per year of other metals.
IRAP Award: $167,040
Match $111,360
Total Project Cost: $278,400
MWRA FRRC Quincy – Braintree
This project will replace a railroad bridge with a culvert on the Fore River Railroad in Braintree. The bridge originally served a cattle crossing below the railroad, which is no longer needed and is functionally obsolete. The Fore River Railroad is a 2.7 mile shortline in Quincy and Braintree that is wholly owned by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA). The railroad serves freight customers in the Fore River Shipyard.
IRAP Award: $342,000
Match $232,244
Total Project Cost: $574,244
Providence & Worcester Railroad (P&W) in Worcester
This project will replace two bridges with a new structure on the P&W Railroad in Worcester. The project is required to maintain rail service to Cargill, a Worcester-based customer of the P&W, as well as preserving access to Midstates Packaging, another Worcester-based customer, for transloading operations. Without the installation of the replacement bridge, P&W will neither be able to provide rail service to Cargill, which will need to use trucks or relocate their operation, nor will they be able to provide rail traffic to Midstates for transloading. The replacement bridge will also carry the road necessary for trucks to access the transloading tracks and to complete transloading.
IRAP Award: $313,214
Match $208,809
Total Project Cost: $522,023
Sherwood Lumber on the New England Central Railroad in Palmer Sherwood Lumber is in the business of wholesale distribution, third party transload and third party logistics operating out its facility in the Palmer Industrial Park on the New England Central Railroad.
This project will construct a new rail siding which will increase the number of cars handled from three to 20 at the same time, as well as make loading dock and laydown area improvements. The project is expected to increase efficiency by 30 percent, reduce operating costs by 30 percent and potentially increase carloads by 100 percent.
IRAP Award: $500,000
Match $1,175,000
Total Project Cost: $1,675,000
New England Central Railroad (NECR) Amherst
This project will improve the main line tracks of the New England Central Railroad in Amherst. The project is located near Amherst's water supply and the railroad suffered two derailments in this area in 2011. The NECR is a shortline railroad, which runs north/south from the Vermont and Quebec border to New London, Conn. serving customers in Palmer, Belchertown, Monson and Millers Falls.
IRAP Award: $500,000
Match $1,052,597
Total Project Cost: $1,552,597
Grafton & Upton
G&U Hopedale
This project will expand and make improvements to Hopedale yard by constructing a switching lead and several sidings throughout the yard. The Hopedale yard, as operated by GU logistix, serves as a warehousing and distribution center for the building materials market. The current operations are constrained by the available space and trackage after only two months of operation.
IRAP Award: $221,700
Match $330,300
Total Project Cost: $552,000
Fitchburg Redevelopment Authority
PAS
Fitchburg
This project, which the Fitchburg Redevelopment Authority applied for, will rehabilitate and reconnect a rail siding into the Fitchburg Industrial Park. This siding will be used by Omnova, which needs the rail spur to remain competitive in their industry.
IRAP Award: $309,900
Match $249,959
Total Project Cost: $559,859
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MURRAY WELCOMES SENATOR WARREN AND CONGRESSWOMAN TSONGAS TO JOIN THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE MILITARY ASSET AND SECURITY STRATEGY TASK FORCE
Lieutenant Governor Murray (middle) is joined by Senator Warren (left) and Congresswoman Tsongas (right) for a meeting with Adjutant General Rice of the Massachusetts National Guard (far left) and the Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force. (Photo Credit: Eric Haynes/Governor’s Office)
After establishing the Task Force by Executive Order No. 541 in February 2012, Lieutenant Governor Murray formed an Executive Committee to bring together key leaders in government and the private sector to strategize on issues and implement goals of the Task Force. The Executive Committee focuses on protecting, promoting and enhancing the state’s six military bases by delivering resources to support workforce training, infrastructure improvements, environmental and utility savings, veterans’ services and military family support, housing and transportation at each base.
“The Task Force was created to work collaboratively across the public and private sector to support the state’s military bases,” said Lieutenant Governor Murray, Chairman of the Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force. “As we continue to position Massachusetts’ military assets to further protect jobs and investments related to each base, Senator Warren and Congresswoman Tsongas’ representation brings another level of expertise and advocacy to the table. Both have been incredible to work with on this issue thus far, and I look forward to collaborating with them, the rest of our delegation and all our partners.”
“I’m pleased to join Lieutenant Governor Murray, Congresswoman Tsongas, and the other members of the Task Force’s Executive Committee to support Massachusetts’ military bases, our armed servicemen and women, and their families,” said Senator Warren. “The important defense work that goes on here in the Commonwealth is critical to our national security and to our state’s economy, and we must do our part to ensure our military bases have the support and resources they need. I look forward to working with other members of the task force, community stakeholders, and private sector partners in this effort.”
“I appreciate the Lieutenant Governor's initiative to create this Task Force and look forward to working with him, Senator Warren and all of the stakeholders on the Executive Committee as we continue to highlight the significance of our military installations and the talented people located here,” said Congresswoman Niki Tsongas. “As the only Massachusetts Member on the House Armed Services Committee, I have seen firsthand the essential resources and cutting-edge technology the Commonwealth's military installations provide to the United States Armed Services. The high-caliber workforce, top-notch educational institutions and advanced technological companies that are unique to this region create an important synergy that strengthens our military.”
During its first year, the Executive Committee included only stakeholders at the state level and in the private sector, though Lieutenant Governor Murray and the Task Force frequently engaged members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation including Congresswoman Tsongas and recently elected Senator Warren.
The Massachusetts Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force, the Executive Committee and members of the congressional delegation have also visited each base. Congresswoman Tsongas, who serves on the U.S. House of Representatives’ Armed Services Committee, joined Lieutenant Governor Murray and the Task Force on visits to the U.S. Army’s Soldier Systems Center in Natick, Fort Devens and Hanscom Air Force Base in 2012, and the Massachusetts Military Reservation on Cape Cod earlier this year. The state’s two other bases include Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee and Barnes Air National Guard in Westfield.
Last year, the Task Force partnered with the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute to release the state’s first comprehensive report on the jobs and economic impact of Massachusetts’ six military bases. The data indicates Massachusetts’ six military installations support more than 46,500 jobs and contributed more than $14.2 billion to the Commonwealth’s economy in 2011. Since these findings were released, the Task Force continues to collaborate with private sector partners and each base to 1) address infrastructure needs, 2) identify areas of mutual interest, 3) build community support, 4) fund energy audits to support cost-savings and greater efficiency and 5) explore options for new workforce development and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Education programs.
Additional members of the Executive Committee of the Task Force include: Major General Scott Rice, Adjutant General of the Massachusetts National Guard; Retired Brigadier General Don Quenneville, Executive Director of the Military Task Force; Marty Jones, President and CEO of MassDevelopment; Anne Marie Dowd, Executive Vice President for Legislative and Military Initiatives at MassDevelopment; Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rick Sullivan; Commissioner of the Department of Energy Resources Mark Sylvia; Administrator Christopher Willenborg of MassDOT’s Aeronautics Division; Arthur Robert, Massachusetts Office of Business Development; and Charles Benway, Executive Vice President of the Defense Technology Initiative.
To learn more about the Massachusetts Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force, visit
www.mass.gov/governor/military.
