Alliance Will Streamline Development of Offshore Wind Resources in Southeast and Mid-Atlantic Region
ANNAPOLIS, MD—The governors of Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia today announced a three-state collaboration to advance offshore wind projects in the region and promote the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic United States as a hub for offshore wind energy and industry.
The creation of the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic Regional Transformative Partnership for Offshore Wind Energy Resources (SMART-POWER) provides a framework for the three states to cooperatively promote, develop, and expand offshore wind energy and the accompanying industry supply chain and workforce. Specifically, the three states agree to form a SMART-POWER Leadership Team with representatives from each signatory jurisdiction that will work to streamline the development of regional offshore wind resources.
“Maryland has been leading the charge when it comes to real, bipartisan, common sense solutions and we are proud to continue setting an example for the nation of bold environmental leadership,” said Maryland Governor Larry Hogan. “Joining this multi-state partnership to expand offshore wind development will further our strong record of supporting responsible energy projects that provide jobs, clean air benefits, and energy independence.”
As Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states become a focus for offshore wind developers and supply chain companies, Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia recognize that the fast-growing, global offshore wind industry has significant potential to drive economic development and job creation as well as reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and other harmful air pollutants. According to the United State Department of Energy, the Atlantic Coast offshore wind project pipeline is estimated to support up to 86,000 jobs, $57 billion in investments, and provide up to $25 billion in economic output by 2030.
“Offshore wind development combined with our strong solar capacity will bring more high paying, clean energy jobs to North Carolina while we continue to ramp up our fight against climate change,” said North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. “This bipartisan agreement with neighboring states allows us to leverage our combined economic power and ideas to achieve cost effective success.”
Through this partnership, the three states have committed to work together to increase regulatory certainty, encourage manufacturing of component parts, reduce project costs through supply chain development, share information and best practices, and promote synergy between industry and the signatory jurisdictions.
“Harnessing the power of offshore wind is key to meeting the urgency of the climate crisis and achieving 100 percent clean energy by 2050,” said Virginia Governor Ralph Northam. “Virginia is well-positioned to scale up offshore wind development with a 12-megawatt wind demonstration project already built off our coast. This agreement will help unlock our collective offshore wind resources and generate tremendous economic and environmental benefits for the region. We look forward to working with our partners in Maryland and North Carolina to grow the offshore wind industry and secure a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient future.”
Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia have access to vast resources and assets, such as deepwater ports and transportation infrastructure, top-tier universities and research institutions, and highly trained workforces, to support the offshore wind industry and supply chain efficiently develop along the Atlantic Coast.
The full SMART-POWER memorandum of understanding is available here.
Screwing every single taxpayer on his way out the door.
There is nothing green about wind, this will destroy the environment, fish and birds
These monstrosities will leak oil into the ocean.
Decommissioning them when the project is abandoned will be on the taxpayer dime
You electric bills will rise substantially
Hogan should stick to politics, he knows nothing about this wind scam
It is a money scam on taxpayers.
https://stopthesethings.com/2017/06/27/oklahomas-former-governor-subsidised-wind-power-a-multi-billion-dollar-mistake/
How about some collaborative offshore drilling? It’d be a lot more efficient.
It is a shame that money can buy ignorant people to participate in what will end up being a harmful impact on the oceans and our environment. One only needs to do a cost benefit analysis (probably could be completed by an elementary student) to show the return on wind energy with all things considered, is a losing proposition all the way around. The two previous commenters are right on!
So, nothing was learned from the Chesapeake College windmill fail? Hey, maybe if we mix that electricity with seven miles of salt water it will work this time….
Please tell us about the windmill fail at Chesapeake College. All I know is that they took it down.
So does that go for the three in Cordova that are sitting there idil too 5:21 ?
So Lockdown Larry teamed up with 2 other Democrat Governors and turned his back on the Citizens of Ocean City and Worcester County. WTH is he thinking?
Wind turbines kill whales, porpoises, and dolphins. Can’t imagine the impact it will have on the horseshoe crabs that provide life saving treatments. At any rate, billions of dollars invested and 1 named storm will wipe it out while leaving massive carnage in its path. Open your pocketbooks as we are in for a royal shafting.
Where is Meehan and the rest of the Hoggan supporters Now? They praised him for keeping the lockdown in place until the vendors in Town went broke.
Now, the voters bloc is experiencing an end run around them. Ha, Ha, Ha,!!! Keep on supporting Corrozza and the rest of the one trick pony ‘Eastern Shore Delegation’.
This is how they pay you back for your vote. They’re like car salesmen, trust them, they’re your friends.
I hope I’m never dumb enough to be taken in by a nickel & dime politician like Hoggan & Meehan.