14 DAY TRIAL // The United States needs to develop its offshore wind capabilities as fast as possible, top US officials agree, and this is why the funds allotted for supporting the development of such projects have just been boosted by an additional $50.5 million.
The announcement was made yesterday, January 7, by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, who worked together on securing the extra funding.
According to the two, this opportunity is open for offshore wind energy deployment projects, as well as for any group seeking to develop such capabilities in high-priority wind energy areas.
Such regions include for example the mid-Atlantic, where rapid and responsible development could easily harness this abundant natural resource. Wind needs to cover a large portion of the US energy needs within the next few decades, if we are to rid ourselves of our dependency on fossil fuels.
By 2035, US President Barack Obama proposed a while back, more than 80 percent of the energy being produced in America will need to come from clean sources. Such sources include the wind, solar energy, geothermal energy, as well as other types of energy.
“The mid-Atlantic wind energy areas are a key part of our 'Smart from the Start' program for expediting appropriate commercial-scale wind energy development in America's waters,” Secretary Salazar said.
“Through the Strategic Work Plan, the United States is synchronizing new research and development initiatives with more efficient, forward-thinking planning so that we can help quickly stand up an American offshore wind industry,” he added.
“This initiative will spur the type of innovation that will help us create new jobs, build a clean energy future, and compete and win in the technologies of the 21st century,” the official went on to say.
The DOE and the DOI are involved in the joint National Offshore Wind Strategy: Creating an Offshore Wind Industry in the United States initiative. Its main goal is to develop a sustainable, world-class offshore wind industry as fast and cheaply as possible.
“Offshore wind energy can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, diversify our energy supply, and stimulate economic revitalization,” Secretary of Energy Chu said in a statement.
“The Department of Energy is committed to working with our federal partners to provide national leadership in accelerating offshore wind energy deployment,” he added when the announcement was made.