The White House has joined with 11 east coast state governors to launch a new Federal-State Offshore Wind Implementation Partnership.
The aim of the group is to accelerate the country’s emerging offshore wind industry by supporting a domestic supply chain, local workforce, addressing grid challenges and working with other sea users like fishers.
As a first step, the White House and governors committed to collaborate on expanding key elements of the offshore wind supply chain, from manufacturing facilities to port capabilities to workforce development.
President Joe Biden’s Administration also said it would advance a National Offshore Wind Supply Chain Roadmap and designate offshore wind vessels as Vessels of National Interest to facilitate more offshore wind construction.
Liz Burdock, CEO and founder of the Business Network for Offshore Wind, a non-profit focused solely on developing the offshore wind industry and its supply chain, said the partnership is a “critical step forward”.
“The Biden-Harris Administration’s 30GW goal, strong leadership from Governors, and more than $12 billion in new investments is creating a once-in-a-generation opportunity for American businesses,” she said.
“Along our coasts, the supply chain is coming to life with new manufacturing facilities, ports being rebuilt, and shipbuilding activity. Offshore wind contracts have more than doubled in the past 18 months and U.S. companies large and small are signing up from 46 states to participate in the offshore wind supply chain. With global demand growing exponentially, we need to accelerate this progress to reach our clean energy goals.
“The Network is proud to partner with the federal government on developing an offshore wind supply chain roadmap and work with our state partners to help build a robust, local supply chain.”