Xiarhos Advocates for Greater Responsibility, State Oversight for Offshore Winds

July 29, 2025

BOSTON, MA. – State Representative Steven Xiarhos (R – 5th Barnstable) recently delivered a strong message to his legislative colleagues, urging them to enact greater state oversight for offshore wind energy projects and the onshore infrastructure that supports them.

“My constituents in Barnstable and across Cape Cod and the Islands are already facing the real and growing consequences of high-voltage infrastructure proposed in densely populated residential neighborhoods, near sensitive water supplies, and through essential recreational and economic areas,” Xiarhos said. “These bills are not speculative; they are responsive, and these concerns are important and well-founded. The time for action to protect our communities is now before it is too late.”

Xiarhos’ comments were part of testimony he delivered at a public hearing of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy on Tuesday, July 29 at the State House.

Among the bills being considered by the committee was House Bill 3585, legislation Xiarhos filed to establish a legislative commission to study the risks posed by the onshore electrical infrastructure that supports offshore wind.

“The commission proposed by this bill would bring together experts in public health, safety, environment, and energy to examine and prepare for all potential risks, including worst-case scenarios like electromagnetic exposure to chemical spills, fires, and even cybersecurity threats,” Xiarhos said. “Equally important, it would ensure that the voices of host communities, those who are asked to shoulder the burden of these projects, are heard and respected and that our communities are protected.”

Xiarhos was careful to mention that he is generally supportive of the development of clean energy alternatives in the Commonwealth and that his interest is in making sure that the public safety, health, environmental, and financial concerns of host communities are adequately accounted for. “House Bill 3585 and other bills like it are not anti-renewable energy,” Xiarhos said. “On the contrary, they are pro-safety, pro-transparency, and pro-accountability —principles that must guide any serious effort to successfully and confidently grow our clean energy capacity for the future without sacrificing the health, safety, or stability of our communities.”

Xiarhos also offered supportive comments in favor of House Bill 3479, filed by State Representative Kip Diggs. According to Xiarhos, that bill demands local input and common-sense siting of infrastructure so that substations and high-voltage lines are not sited in small towns and residential neighborhoods without adequate planning or local consent. “House Bill 3479 directs developers to locate infrastructure in industrial coastal areas or at existing power generation sites, rather than in small residential communities, public beaches, or environmentally sensitive areas,” Xiarhos said. “I am proud to support this proposal. Our towns should not be chosen as energy corridors simply for the convenience of developers. It also calls for coordinated offshore transmission strategies, which could reduce both cost and disruption while offering a smarter path forward for ratepayers and host communities alike.”

Xiarhos has been an outspoken advocate for greater state oversight of clean energy projects, especially when infrastructure to support those projects is sited in residential communities. “I generally support the development of clean energy alternatives in our Commonwealth, but I am also mindful of the fact that these projects are causing great concern in our area,” Xiarhos said. “I have been an active participant in meetings about plans to bring a huge amount of power onshore across Dowses Beach, as well as other projects. I share local concerns about these projects, and I have been pushing for greater state involvement and oversight to provide better safety guarantees. At what point will the Commonwealth admit that there are potential health, safety, financial, and environmental issues that need to be addressed as we aggressively pursue our renewable energy goals?”

According to Xiarhos, the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy will continue to accept testimony regarding these bills through Monday, August 5. Residents with an interest may submit written comments to the committee via e-mail to ben.minerva@masenate.gov and phillip.hashey@mahouse.gov.

# # #