US Democrat Senator Ed Markey has been named a US Wind Champion for the 116th Congress by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).
The award was made at an event hosted at Orsted North America’s office in Boston.
AWEA said it presents US Wind Champion Awards to members of the US Congress with “exceptional records of support for the American wind industry” and that have “demonstrated clean energy leadership”.
The association said Markey (pictured, centre) has been a long-time champion of offshore wind.
Since 2011, he has introduced a tax credit for offshore wind energy, while this year, he introduced the Offshore Wind Act which would create a 30% Investment Tax Credit for the sector, AWEA added.
Markey said: “From the winds of the Plains to the nor’easters that whip Plymouth, our nation is filled with the potential to harness energy from the wind.
“Wind energy is a win for American jobs, for American energy security, and for our climate, and AWEA is our great champion in building a clean energy future.
“I am honoured to receive AWEA’s Wind Champion Award and pledge my continued commitment to this energy source that will help power our nation in the 21st century.”
Orsted US Offshore Wind chief executive and AWEA board member Thomas Brostrom (pictured, right) said: “Senator Markey has been exactly the type of champion the offshore wind industry has needed.
“In the US the success of this industry is closely tied to cooperation between the public and private sectors and the Senator embodies that cooperation.
“We thank him for his leadership and congratulate him for a very well deserved award.”
AWEA chief executive Tom Kiernan (pictured, left) said: “Senator Markey has been a strong and tireless supporter of advancing clean, renewable energy technologies like wind power.
“The Senator is leading efforts in Washington to launch a new American clean energy industry offshore, one that will employ Massachusetts citizens and catalyse new port infrastructure in the critical effort to address climate change.”