Europe has been engaged in offshore wind since 1991. China began producing electricity from wind energy last year. Yet, despite a growing demand for scalable renewable energy to meet the renewable portfolio standards of many states along the Eastern Seaboard, there are currently no facilities operating in U.S. waters.
Today, states along the Great Lakes and Eastern Seaboard rely heavily on fossil and nuclear fuels to meet their energy needs. These resources will continue to play an important role in generating energy for the U.S.; however, there are numerous benefits to incorporating offshore wind energy into the resource mix:
- An Economic Development Engine:
The U.S. boasts outstanding natural wind resources that can launch and support thriving new industries. There are 8,000 parts in every offshore turbine. They must be designed, tested, manufactured, installed and maintained. It is already a multi-billion euro industry in Europe and could become even larger in the U.S. - A Hedge Against Volatile Fuel Prices:
By relying on a free and limitless natural resource, wind energy requires zero fuel costs for the life of the project. This means no more dealing with the costs and risks associated with rising fuel and transportation costs for conventional fossil fuel. - A Truly Endless Resource:
The abundant offshore wind resources along the Eastern Seaboard and Great Lakes ensures sustainable, stable-price energy that will never be depleted, even as our nation’s energy needs grow. - A Boost to Energy Security:
Wind is a 100% locally sourced fuel. And adding it to our nation’s energy portfolio not only provides a new energy option – it also prolongs the life of domestically sourced fossil fuels like natural gas and coal. - A Clean Alternative to Traditional Energy:
Wind power produces absolutely zero emissions. This is good news not only for our environment, but for all of us who could be affected by carbon taxes or by limitations on emissions of carbon and other pollutants. - A Proximate Resource:
Over 40% of US electricity sales are within states near the Atlantic Coast or along Lake Erie. Offshore wind facilities do not require transmission lines strung across multiple states to deliver this renewable resource.
For more information on the opportunities, benefits and challenges associated with developing offshore wind energy, we recommend the following reports:
- ‘Untapped Wealth’ by Oceana (.pdf)
- ‘Offshore Wind in the Atlantic’ by the National Wildlife Federation (.pdf)
- ‘Large-Scale Offshore Wind Power in the United States’ by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) (.pdf)
- ‘Offshore Wind Energy’ by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) (.pdf)
- ‘Tapping into Wind Power’ by the Union of Concerned Scientists (.pdf)
Additional information on offshore wind energy can be found here:
- Offshore Wind Development Coalition
- Virginia Offshore Wind Coalition
- Virginia Offshore Wind Development Authority
- Virginia Sierra Club
- North Carolina Sierra Club