Governors Jack Markell of Delaware and Donald L. Carcieri of Rhode Island today addressed the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA)  Offshore Wind Power Workshop, which is bringing over 730 experts, industry leaders, and participants together in Boston to discuss the nuts and bolts of offshore wind power development in the U.S.

“We have our work cut out for us to make offshore wind a reality in the U.S.,” said Governor Markell.   “We each have a critical role to play, and we need to take action.  Our citizens are hungry for the benefits of clean energy. Every day that we delay is another day of dirty power, more emissions, health costs, and missed economic opportunity.  I want the efforts that we’ve begun in Delaware to lead our nation towards a clean energy future—and I invite you to join us.  We need to make the vision a reality.  Our time is now.  Let’s get to work.”

“Offshore wind power is one of the most reliable and sustainable sources of energy in the United States, and we are on the path to develop this nation’s first deep water, offshore wind project,” said Governor Carcieri, who serves as vice chairman of the Governors’ Wind Energy Coalition.  “The impact of offshore wind is tremendous, from spurring economic development and new jobs to providing stable energy costs, and will move our country towards energy independence.”

Gordon van Welie, President and CEO of ISO New England, the independent system operator for the region’s power grid, also addressed the workshop’s plenary session.

“The workshop this week is underscoring that offshore wind power in the U.S. can soon become a reality,” said AWEA CEO Denise Bode. “Here in Boston participants are moving offshore wind power forward with the kind of energy level, big-picture vision and concrete details that signal the dawn of a new industry segment in this country.”

This week and recent months have seen an acceleration of the momentum driving offshore wind power development:

• In conjunction with the workshop, the New York Power Authority this week announced a request for proposals for 500 MW of fresh water offshore wind energy;
• Also this week, National Grid announced that it would seek a power purchase agreement with the proposed offshore Cape Wind project in Massachusetts;
• Last month, three Mid-Atlantic states (Delaware, Maryland and Virginia) announced an offshore partnership to develop offshore wind power in the region;
• Also last month, NRG Energy acquired offshore wind power developer Bluewater Wind; and

• Earlier this year, the federal Minerals Management Service issued a final rule for renewable energy development on the Outer Continental Shelf.

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