Nonprofits form new coalition to support offshore wind energy

According to its newly established website, CPOW is "a collaboration of communities and organizations that believe the United States must move towards indigenous clean energy sources like offshore wind farm and that public education and citizen engagement are essential to making that transition.

"This partnership aims to connect coastal communities facing offshore wind turbines development to address common challenges and opportunities posed by offshore wind. By working collaboratively, citizens can share experiences, information, and resources, and help build a unified movement towards the acceptance of offshore wind energy.

"Right now, the United States is more than 20 years behind Europe in adopting this established technology. The United States’ deeply rooted affiliations with the fossil fuel industry have allowed us to remain dependent on unhealthy and dangerous fuels. The East Coast and Great Lakes have an immense opportunity to produce clean energy and boost local economies by accepting offshore wind turbines as a viable, preferable energy resource. It is in the public’s best interest to support offshore wind because of its great potential to improve our health, economy and energy security."

Founding members of CPOW include:

Civil Society Institute
CLEAN
Citizens’ Greener Evanston
West Michigan Wind Power
Renewable Energy Long Island
Windustrious Cleveland
Clean Power Now
Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana
Southern Alliance for Clean Energy

www.offshorewindpartners.org/www.OffshoreWindPartners.org/Welcome.html

By Tom Gray, www.awea.org/blog/