MA Local Chamber Sees Economic Benefits in New Energy Project

“Clean Energy and Economic Development Go Hand-In-Hand,” says Chamber CEO

Marie Oliva, Cape Cod Canal Region Chamber

With an eye toward its potential for attracting investments and jobs, the Cape Cod Canal Region Chamber is about to welcome the development of a first in renewable energy: a test site for capturing the vast energy of the ocean’s tides.

“Clean energy and economic development go hand-in-hand,” said Marie Oliva, President and CEO of the Cape Cod Canal Region Chamber.

“This will be a one-of-a kind test site that will have positive impacts on the town and region,” Olivia added. “It will attract tidal developers bringing in technology-based companies to Bourne.”

The Bourne Tidal Test Site, which is expected to begin installation in March or April, is the nation’s first site designed to enable testing and growth of a tidal energy industry off America’s shores.

The chamber hosted planning meetings throughout 2016 with stakeholders including the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Brown University, Board of Selectmen, Bourne Financial Development Corp., and other businesses. It also committed in-kind services throughout the process.

State Rep. David Viera (R) thanked the chamber and other parties for their support in bringing the pilot project to Bourne.

The marine energy industry has the potential to support as many as 36,000 direct and indirect U.S. jobs by 2030, according to a 2014 ACORE report. The U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory has also estimated that more than one-third of all electricity used in the United States could be drawn from the seas.