Connecticut legislators and state leaders were briefed on advances made by the Connecticut Wind Collaborative Legislative Breakfast earlier this month.

Wind Collaborative Board Chair Paul Lavoie, who is also Connecticut’s Chief Manufacturing Officer, gave an overview of the state’s role in the industry during his welcoming remarks, highlighting Executive Director Kristin Urbach’s expertise and broad relationships here and abroad.

Kristin recapped her efforts in communicating all of the industry activity taking place in Connecticut during the multitude of events where she has served as a featured speaker.

Kristin also highlighted the Collaborative’s recently published  Connecticut Offshore Wind Supply Chain Assessment, the nation’s first regional analysis of industry supply chain opportunities. The study includes case studies of three Connecticut businesses working on current wind farm projects: ThayerMahan of Groton, Sea Services North America of New London, and Survival Systems of Groton.

State Representative Jonathan Steinberg, Co-Chair of the Legislature’s Energy and Technology Committee, said he was impressed to learn that more than 50 state companies are already involved in the offshore wind supply chain. He and others at the event urged  Collaborative leaders to continue spreading the word statewide of the economic benefits the industry is providing to Connecticut families and businesses in support of the South Fork, Revolution Wind and Sunrise Wind projects at State Pier in New London.

Alexandra Halvordson of ThayerMahan gave an overview of the company’s role in supporting turbine installation work and marine mammal monitoring.

Michael Schroeder of Survival Systems described the intense training provided by Survival Systems to offshore workers, which includes helicopter underwater escape training and other drills that meet Global Wind Organisation safety standards.