The governors of Maryland, Virginia and Delaware have agreed on a tri-state partnership for the deployment of offshore wind energy in the Mid-Atlantic coastal region.
The memorandum of understanding (MOU) creates a formal partnership that will build on the region's significant offshore wind resources to generate renewable energy and a sustainable market that will bring new economic opportunities.
‘This collaboration will allow us to take full advantage of these opportunities and pool our collective abilities for not only a smart, green and growing Maryland, but a cleaner and more sustainable region, as well,’ says Gov. Martin O'Malley, D-Md.
The Mid-Atlantic States will focus on leveraging resources and information to bring offshore wind energy to the region, which, in turn, will create green jobs for our workers and clean energy alternatives for our families and businesses.
Immediate tasks under the MOU are to identify common transmission strategies for offshore wind energy deployment in the region, discuss ways to encourage sustainable market demand for this renewable resource and work collaboratively in pursuing federal energy policies that help advance offshore wind in the Mid-Atlantic region.
The MOU also calls for examination of ways to coordinate regional supply chain facilities to secure supply, deployment, and operations and maintenance functions to support offshore wind energy facilities. Collaboration on strategies to utilize academic institutions to create standards and opportunities for training and workforce development will also be developed.
SOURCE: Office of Gov. Martin O'Malley
