Sen. Kay Hagan and Representatives David Price and Mike McIntyre have joined the call for offshore wind development in North Carolina.
The members issued a letter to the U.S. Department of Interior on February 28, urging it to move forward quickly in developing the state’s offshore wind resources. “Offshore wind energy development enjoys broad public support in North Carolina, and we believe the benefits to the people of our state would be substantial,” wrote the three members of North Carolina’s Congressional Delegation .
“North Carolina has the most offshore wind potential of any Atlantic state, so it makes sense that we would move forward as quickly as we responsibly can,” said Dave Rogers, field director for Environment North Carolina .
The letter released on February 28 follows an earlier show of support from Gov. Pat McCrory, who submitted a similar letter shortly after taking office in January.
The U.S. Department of Interior released a Call for Information and Nominations in December for three lease locations in the federal waters off the North Carolina coast. These “Call Areas” are larger than the combined totals of all the other the areas under consideration by other Atlantic Coast states.
“We applaud the leadership shown from Senator Hagan and Representatives Price and McIntyre,” said Rogers . “With their continued leadership, I’m confident we will see the first wind turbines spinning off our coasts in the near future.”
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Press release, March 13, 2013; Image: Alpha Ventus