AWEA Urges DOI to Advance Offshore Wind Projects

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) is urging the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) to advance offshore wind projects.

AWEA issued a statement this past weekend on the one-year anniversary of the record-breaking auction that saw winning bids from Mayflower Wind Energy, Equinor and Vineyard Wind for three lease areas offshore Massachusetts.

“Last year’s auction results erased any doubts that harnessing the winds off America’s shores offers a tremendous investment opportunity,” said Laura Morton, AWEA’s Senior Director for Policy & Regulatory Affairs, Offshore.

“But this represents more than a big investment—it means well-paying American jobs, a new U.S. supply chain, and a homegrown clean energy source.”

According to Morton, DOI can expedite the creation of these benefits by holding firm to its directives to create a predictable regulatory environment throughout the energy sector, continuing to advance offshore wind projects under development, and conducting lease auctions as promised early in 2020.

Earlier this year, AWEA joined the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA), Offshore Marine Service Association (OMSA) and Consumers’ Energy Alliance (CEA) in sending letters to Interior Secretary David Bernhardt and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross calling for the recognition of the economic benefits of offshore wind.