Atlantic Coast

In May 2009, 11 governors wrote a letter to Congress recognizing the opportunities to develop local offshore wind resources and calling for federal policies to promote its development. In June 2010, governors of ten East Coast states and the Department of the Interior formally established the Atlantic Offshore Wind Energy  Consortium  to coordinate state and federal efforts relating to permitting, environmental studies, technical and financial barriers, and the infrastructure needed to deploy and maintain offshore wind farms and turbine manufacturing plants.

Coastal states from Maine through North Carolina have actively  pursued offshore  wind energy  and have  been targeted by developers because of public support for clean energy, advancing state policies,  and  excellent  wind potential.  In South Carolina and Georgia, state agencies and universities are engaging in offshore wind research.

Case Study: Maine

Maine has selected three demonstration sites for offshore wind development and was  awarded $20 million by  the  DOE to develop deep water offshore wind. State legislation passed in April 2010 directs the utilities commission to solicit proposals for a power purchase agreement from offshore wind developers. The legislation specifies that the wind farms would need to consist of floating turbines in water at least  300 feet deep and be located at least 10 miles from  shore. In addition to coordinating efforts with other East Coast states, Maine Governor John Baldacci made a pledge along with his counterpart in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia  to bring together researchers, policymakers,  and developers  from the private sector to pursue ocean energy opportunities – both offshore wind and tidal power projects.

Case Study: Massachusetts

America’s first proposed offshore wind farm was Cape Wind, which was to be sited off the coast of Nantucket Sound in 2001. In average winds, the 130 turbine project would  provide 170 MW, or three-quarters of the electricity needs of Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket. A group of property owners in the area actively oppose Cape Wind because of concerns for wildlife and electricity costs, and

have delayed construction by pushing for more research and governmental involvement. After extensive studies and the completion of state and local permitting, the project was issued a favorable Environmental Impact Statement in January 2009.  In October 2010, Interior  Secretary  Ken Salazar and Cape Wind Associates, LLC signed the first lease for commercial wind energy development in U.S. waters.

Case Study: New York

The state of New York is in a unique position because it has offshore wind potential in both the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Lakes. The Long Island-New York City Offshore Wind Collaborative has proposed a 350-700 MW wind farm to be sited 13 miles off Long Island’s Rockaway Peninsula. On the western side of the state, the New York Power Authority is selecting developers to build 40-160 wind turbines in Lake Erie and/or Lake Ontario. The project is anticipated to deliver  up to 500 MW of power beginning in 2016.