The US House of Representatives has passed the Build Back Better Act, which includes support for clean energy and contains several provisions that directly impact the offshore wind industry.
The legislation includes long-term clean energy tax credits for manufacturing and development, funding for transmission projects and planning, assistance to rebuild ports, and advances offshore wind in the South Atlantic and US territories, said the Business Network for Offshore Wind.
The legislation now goes to the Senate for consideration.
Business Network for Offshore Wind chief executive Liz Burdock said: “The Build Back Better Act includes the most significant federal investments ever in renewable energy and will propel the offshore wind industry forward in the US.
“Fully harnessing the incredible potential offered by offshore wind requires a concentrated national industrial strategy that lays out clear clean energy goals, supports manufacturers and small businesses, builds up a workforce, and rebuilds our ports.
“The Build Back Better Act take significant steps towards this strategy by providing the long-term support that will spark major investments in new factories manufacturing the blades, foundations, and tower that will build the industry.”
The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) said the passage is a “critical milestone in America’s efforts to take on the climate challenge”.
ACORE president and CEO Gregory Wetstone said: “The legislation finally moves the country beyond years of on-again, off-again renewable tax credits and establishes a stable, predictable and long-term clean energy tax platform that will spur critically important investment in renewable power, energy storage and advanced grid technologies.
“This is America’s last best chance to take timely action to address the global climate crisis, and it is imperative we rapidly accelerate the renewable energy transition.
“ACORE remains committed to working with policymakers in both chambers to ensure the final legislation will successfully deliver on the Biden administration’s scientifically driven climate objectives.”
American Clean Power Association CEO Heather Zichal said the stable and predictable policies for renewable energy projects included in the House-passed legislation will help grow America’s economy and a clean energy future that creates good-paying jobs and a cleaner environment.
She said: “With tax credits for renewable generation, energy storage, transmission projects, green hydrogen and the growing offshore wind energy sector and associated domestic manufacturing, a powerful signal is being sent to the private sector and industry.
“The Build Back Better Act will help spur new investment, accelerate the development of projects and deliver over 1 million clean energy jobs by 2030.
“It will also help create growth opportunities for local communities and put the country on a path to achieve the goal of 100% carbon-free electricity by 2035 – which will require doubling the size of the electricity grid and tripling the amount of clean energy carried by it.
“Voters from across all political parties support the expansion of clean energy. With House passage, we now urge the Senate to pass the Build Back Better Act and do their part to help deliver a clean energy future for Americans. Every state in the nation will benefit from it.”