Conservative Energy Network Statement on BOEM Sale of Offshore Wind Leases

August 15, 2024 – LANSING, Mich. – The Conservative Energy Network (CEN) has released the following statement from John Szoka, CEN CEO, regarding the recent sale of two offshore wind leases in the Central Atlantic by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM):

“Offshore wind must play an important role in the pursuit of a secure, reliable, affordable, and clean energy future. The sale of two offshore wind leases by BOEM sends a clear signal that there is significant private industry interest in American-made offshore wind. This emerging industry will bring more than just urgently needed energy generation to the power grid, it will also drive significant economic development. The offshore wind supply chain stands to bring more than 49,000 manufacturing jobs and 140 billion dollars in private economic investment to the United States over the next fifteen years. We must allow room for offshore wind to find success in the free market.”

The Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies and Ecosystems (RISEE) Act would encourage the growth of United States’ offshore wind industry and ensure that local communities benefit from offshore wind development. The bipartisan policy has been introduced in both the United States House and Senate and is designed to send 37.5 percent of revenue from offshore wind development in federal waters back to states adjacent to the project. These funds would be used to support important coastal restoration projects, hurricane protection, and infrastructure improvements. Funds would also be used to mitigate the impact of offshore wind development to wildlife.

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Conservative Energy Network (CEN) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit coalition of 25 state-based conservative clean energy organizations championing secure, reliable, affordable, clean American energy. Learn more at www.conservativeenergynetwork.org.