DOE’s Much-Needed Atlantic Offshore Wind Roadmap

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – The Department of Energy released its Atlantic Offshore Wind Transmission Study today, laying out a pathway to develop new infrastructure and transmission lines needed to develop the offshore wind industry in the Eastern seaboard. 

Following is a reaction from Cullen Howe, a senior advocate at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council): 

“States and grid operators need to work together to deliver on the promise of offshore wind in the Atlantic. This report from the Energy Department will help move that coordination along. 

“To connect all the new offshore wind energy projects to the grid, we will need large transmission lines buried under the ocean floor as well as substantial upgrades to the onshore infrastructure. By fostering collaboration and initiating these efforts now, we can significantly reduce the costs associated with this infrastructure buildout, minimize environmental impacts, and enhance grid reliability.”

NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law, and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health, and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, Beijing, and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd). Visit us at http://www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.