U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., has been named a U.S. Wind Champion for the 116th Congress by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA)
Markey was honored this week at an event hosted at Ørsted North America’s office in Boston.
AWEA presents U.S. Wind Champion Awards to members of Congress with exceptional records of support for the American wind industry and demonstrated clean energy leadership.
According to AWEA, Markey has been a long-time champion of offshore wind in particular. Since 2011, he has proposed a tax credit for offshore wind energy, including through the Offshore WIND Act, which would create a 30% investment tax credit to help jump-start America’s offshore wind industry.
“From the winds of the Plains to the nor’easters that whip Plymouth [Mass.], our nation is filled with the potential to harness energy from the wind,” says Markey. “Wind energy is a win for American jobs, for American energy security and for our climate, and AWEA is our great champion in building a clean energy future. I am honored to receive AWEA’s Wind Champion Award and pledge my continued commitment to this energy source that will help power our nation in the 21st century.”
“Senator Markey has been exactly the type of champion the offshore wind industry has needed,” notes Thomas Brostrøm, president of Ørsted North America, CEO of Ørsted U.S. Offshore Wind and board member at AWEA. “In the U.S., the success of this industry is closely tied to cooperation between the public and private sectors, and the senator embodies that cooperation. We thank him for his leadership and congratulate him for a very well-deserved award.”
“Senator Markey has been a strong and tireless supporter of advancing clean, renewable energy technologies like wind power,” adds Tom Kiernan, CEO of AWEA. “The senator is leading efforts in Washington to launch a new American clean energy industry offshore, one that will employ Massachusetts citizens and catalyze new port infrastructure in the critical effort to address climate change.”
