In Norfolk last week, the Obama administration announced a plan for rapid development of offshore wind energy, including high priority Wind Energy Areas off the coast of Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey. The Department of the Interior (DOI) said it could begin leasing these areas for wind energy projects as early as the end of this year. Opening these areas to wind energy development will be a great step in our transition to clean, renewable energy and should happen as soon as possible!
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE), the agency within the DOI that oversees the development of energy resources on the Outer Continental Shelf, has opened a public comment period on the Wind Energy Areas, which lasts until Friday, March 11. Please show your support for wind energy off the coast of Virginia and Maryland by signing our petition. We’ll deliver it to BOEMRE by the end of the comment period.
Virginia Residents: Take action here
Maryland Residents: Take action here
The identified areas are on the Outer Continental Shelf offshore Maryland (207 square nautical miles), Virginia (165), Delaware (122) and New Jersey (417). Maryland’s area could produce the equivalent of two thirds of the state’s current electricity needs. Virginia’s area could produce the equivalent of 10 percent of the commonwealth
