On January 22, Governor Pat McCrory sent a letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s (BOEM) Office of Renewable Energy Programs, announcing the support for decision made by the Department of Interior (DOI) to designate three sites off the North Carolina coast for offshore wind development.
He said that offshore wind farms would bring jobs and investment to the state, along with the benefit of using clean energy, the Carolina Coast Online news cites from the letter.
Governor McCrory pointed out the estimation made by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), which shows that offshore wind development in North Carolina could bring USD 22 billion to the economy and create 10,000 permanent jobs. Recently renewed federal wind production tax credit reinforces the state’s estimated potential.
BOEM has extended the comment period on the Call for Information and Nominations for three areas off North Carolina: the first is in the Outer Banks, the second is 17 miles south of Bald Head Island and the third is 11 miles southeast of Sunset Beach.
[mappress]
Offshore WIND Staff, January 29, 2013; Image: patmccrory