US news outlets have reported the confirmation of Amanda Lefton as the new director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM).
The agency, housed within the Department of Interior, manages offshore wind renewable energy development.
Lefton is employed as first assistant secretary for energy and the environment for New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, in the New York State Executive Chamber.
Previous to that she was deputy policy director at non-profit Nature Conservancy.
Business Network for Offshore Wind CEO Liz Burdock said: “The Biden Administration has made an excellent choice in naming Amanda Lefton as the new Director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) while the agency works to successfully develop offshore wind energy off the US coasts.
“From Maine to North Carolina, our committed state leaders have been driving the vision and action on offshore wind while committing state resources and incentives.
“Having a seasoned state government and policy leader like Amanda at BOEM’s helm over the next four years provides the offshore wind industry confidence that the Biden Administration will fulfil its commitments to double offshore wind and expand opportunities for renewable energy development.”
Burdock added that she was looking forward to working closely with Amanda and introducing her to the “diverse supply chain” the network’s members represent.
New York Offshore Wind Alliance executive director Joe Martens said: “As a key advisor to Governor Cuomo, Ms Lefton was instrumental in the development and passage of two nation-leading laws: the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) and the Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefit Act.
“The CLCPA included the largest offshore wind energy commitment in the US, which is critical in meeting the law’s renewable energy and greenhouse gas reduction targets.
“We look forward to working with Ms Lefton and her team at BOEM to help advance offshore wind development in the US.”