Federal and State Officials Unveil Plan for Offshore Wind in the U.S.
Media Contacts
Environment America
BOSTON, MA – Offshore wind in the United States is gaining momentum. Today, Secretary Moniz of the U.S. Department of Energy and Secretary Jewell of the U.S. Department of Interior were joined by state officials, national wind energy leaders and environmentalists to announce the release of the 2016 National Offshore Wind Strategy. The National Strategy touts the tremendous potential for offshore wind to meet our energy needs with pollution-free energy. The updated plan recognized the improved outlook for offshore wind and aims for 86 GW of offshore wind to be developed by 2050.
The release of the national strategy was held at the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center Testing Facility in Boston. The announcement in Boston comes on the heels of several important announcements regarding offshore wind in Massachusetts this summer. Massachusetts’ Governor Baker signed a bill in support of 1,600 MW in the state, which makes Massachusetts a leader in offshore wind with the largest megawatt commitment in the country. Last week, three lease-holding wind energy companies signed letters of intent to use the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal as a launch pad for the state’s offshore wind energy projects to be built in federal waters.
“The announcement of the 2016 National Offshore Wind Strategy signals that the Block Island Offshore Wind Farm in Rhode Island and the recent announcements and commitments here in Massachusetts and other states are the beginning of a new clean energy chapter for America,” said Bronte Payne, Clean Energy Associate for Environment America. “Offshore wind holds immense potential for the Atlantic Coast states, and the rest of the nation to meet energy needs with pollution-free energy. And, thanks to the Obama Administration and the leadership of state officials including here in Massachusetts we are poised to take it to the next level. We looking forward to working with federal and state officials to make offshore wind power a key element of America’s plan to tackle climate-altering carbon pollution and, ultimately, to meet all of our energy needs with clean, renewable energy”
