Offshore wind power is poised for development here in the U.S. Wind power, both on land and offshore, can provide 20% of U.S. electricity by 2030, according to a report by the U.S. Department of Energy, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs while also avoiding harmful emissions and strengthening our energy security. The recent release of the Minerals Management Service’s final rule for renewable energy development on the Outer Continental Shelf provides the regulatory certainty to allow offshore wind projects to move forward in the near future.
"What we need to do as a nation and an industry is really think about where we want to be in 10-20 years," said Bowles, who spoke on behalf of Governor Deval Patrick to a packed room. "We look at offshore wind as a really vital part of our energy strategy."
“Our energy future is clear; we need to continue investing in and promoting the use of clean, alternative forms of energy now, or we will never break free from our reliance on fossil fuels,” said Law. “LIPA, in partnership with a host of New York State and New York City agencies as well as the private sector, is exploring the potential development for what would be the largest offshore wind farm proposal in the country (350 MW with the ability to expand to 700 MW). The project could provide significant market development benefits to the wind industry, create clean-energy jobs, and help diversify New York State’s electricity system.”
“No steel is in the water yet, but the offshore wind power movement in the U.S. has evolved significantly just within the last year and is now focusing on the many nuts and bolts of what it takes to develop projects,” said Greg Watson, Senior Advisor for Clean Energy Technology, Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs, and the Program Chair for the Workshop. “It’s an exciting time."
In additional offshore news surrounding the workshop, Governor Patrick today announced that National Grid and Cape Wind have agreed to enter into negotiations for a long-term contract under which the utility would purchase the electricity generated by the proposed offshore wind power project
The workshop brings together experts and industry leaders and will over the next two days explore the latest technology developments, permitting and siting processes, infrastructure challenges, and lessons learned from European offshore projects.
December 2 – 3, 2009
Seaport World Trade Center
200 Seaport Boulevard
Boston, MA
AWEA’s second annual Offshore Wind Power Workshop will be held in Boston, MA this year. Many offshore wind stakeholders from the United States and Europe will gather to discuss the emerging U.S offshore wind industry. The recent release of the Minerals Management Service’s final rule for renewable energy development on the Outer Continental Shelf provides the regulatory certainty to allow offshore wind projects to move forward in the near future. Please join us at the 2009 Offshore Workshop to get the latest on relevant offshore wind topics.
Topics:
* Wildlife issues for offshore projects on the east coast
* Permitting – Impact on projects and process
* Lessons learned from European projects
* Public Relations – how to deal with all offshore project stakeholders
* Offshore Research and Development – what is underway and what is still ahead future efforts that should be considered
For more information on the AWEA Offshore Wind Power Workshop go to www.awea.org/events/offshorewind09/
