A draft version of a bill to update US legislation to improve the offshore wind development process and get new sources of affordable clean energy on the grid has been released.
Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse released the draft discussion of the Create Offshore Leadership and Livelihood Alignment By Operating Responsibly And Together for the Environment (COLLABORATE) Act.
The Act aims to improve permitting, coordination, and cooperation between agencies and with developers and stakeholders, establish a holistic process for offshore wind transmission, and boost support for fisheries and other potentially affected stakeholders, including the establishment of a compensation fund for eligible recipients.
Provisions include creating a director for offshore wind the White House as well as establishing a five-year leasing schedule for offshore wind, updated every two years.
It would also update the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s (BOEM’s) responsibilities for renewable energy production on the Outer Continental Shelf and establish designated project managers at agencies with permitting authorities.
“Offshore wind is an abundant resource that we have to harness to meet our climate and clean energy goals. To unlock the full potential of offshore wind, we need to lower the barriers standing in the way of growth,” said Whitehouse.
“The Block Island Wind Farm is a successful model for offshore wind development. My legislation applies the Rhode Island model of good-faith cooperation to the federal interagency process, while streamlining permitting and transmission problems.”
Oceantic Network Vice-president of Federal Policy John Begala welcomed the move, stating: “Offshore wind is essential to meeting state and federal energy goals, and we must continue to take actions that will allow us to harness this abundant source of renewable power. Permitting reform has long been an urgent priority of the energy transition, and offshore wind is no different.
“Creating a reliable and efficient permitting system that ensures environmental protection will foster great investments into a domestic supply chain, creating jobs and economic opportunities for American businesses. We welcome Senator Whitehouse’s invitation to provide feedback on the COLLABORATE Act and look forward to seeing the bill move through the legislative process.”