The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) today welcomed Massachusetts Secretary for Energy and Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles and Long Island Power Authority President and CEO Kevin S. Law as they kicked off the AWEA Offshore Wind Power Workshop in Boston.

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.   

For more information on the AWEA Offshore Wind Power Workshop go to http://www.awea.org/events/offshorewind09/