Delaware joined 10 other states and the Biden administration in the launch of the Federal-State Offshore Wind Implementation Partnership.
The partnership is a joint effort of the White House National Climate Advisor, the Secretaries of the Interior, Energy, Commerce, and Transportation, and the Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island.
The Republican governors of Maryland, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire joined Democratic governors in the partnership. Not joining was Virginia, which now has a Republican governor who believes that conversion to carbon-free electricity will be expensive and lead to power shortages.
The partnership aims to “accelerate the growing offshore wind industry. The partnership will support efforts to provide Americans with cleaner and cheaper energy, create good-paying jobs, and make historic investments in new American energy supply chains, manufacturing, shipbuilding, and servicing,” a White House release stated.
As the first step, the White House and governors are announcing commitments to collaborate on expanding key elements of the offshore wind supply chain, from manufacturing facilities to port capabilities to workforce development. The Administration is also announcing steps to advance a National Offshore Wind Supply Chain Roadmap and designating offshore wind vessels as Vessels of National Interest to spur more offshore wind construction.
In 2021 alone, investors announced $2.2 billion in new funding, including commitments to develop nine major manufacturing facilities to produce the foundations, towers, cables, and blades of offshore wind turbines, the White House stated.
Delaware has no direct involvement in current offshore projects.
However, developers of the US Wind and Skipjack projects off Fenwick Island and Ocean City, MD, say their projects will aid the Delaware economy.
Submarine powerlines from both projects could come ashore in Delaware.
In addition, the Interior Department is seeking input on the possible leasing of offshore wind sites off an area of the Delaware coast.
A recent University of Delaware study has indicated that wind power is becoming a more feasible option for Delaware, due to lowering costs of generation.
That finding has been attacked by the Glasgow-based Caesar Rodney Institute, which claims wind power is more expensive than fossil fuels and nuclear generation. It further claims wind generation will not reduce emissions with fossil fuels needed during periods of less wind.
Offshore wind advocates say wind speeds are more consistent offshore and that the costs of fossil fuel-produced electricity should also be considered. One suggested option is a grid connecting offshore projects that could move power to areas where it is needed should wind speeds die down in one zone.
