New plan for offshore wind in mid-Atlantic

The National Strategic Work Plan for Offshore Wind is the nation’s newest guidelines for establishing and implementing wind power offshore.

The plan, which is a cooperative effort between the U.S. Departments of Energy and Interior, aims to tackle three challneges facing offshore wind.  They include the high cost, technical challenges regarding installation, operation and interconnection and the lack of site data and experience with the permitting process.

Delaware Senator Tom Carper (D) applauds the effort, saying it shows the Obama administration’s committment to offshore wind.  “At a time of tight budgets, this additional support for offshore wind research and development recognizes the significant benefits that can flow from a modest federal investment in offshore wind technology.”  

As part of the plan, the federal government will provide up to $50.5 million in funding for wind projects in the high priority  wind energy areas in the mid-Atlantic, which includes Delaware.  “This will encourage companies like Delaware’s NRG Bluewater Wind to continue to invest in clean, stable wind energy,” says Carper.  He says he’ll work with the Department of Interior to make sure that projects that are already in the permitting process, like the Bluewater effort, will not be left behind by an improved process.