U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., has introduced federal legislation aimed at bolstering the U.S. offshore wind power industry.
The Create Offshore Leadership and Livelihood Alignment by Operating Responsibly and Together for the Environment (COLLABORATE) Act of 2024 aims to address gaps in the offshore wind transmission process, streamline permitting by improving interagency coordination, and authorize $25 million annually to support community engagement in offshore wind development.
“Offshore wind has the potential to generate enough electricity to exceed twice the current demand in the U.S., but development has faced significant setbacks, delaying progress toward achieving the goal of 30 GW by 2030,” says Nicole Pavia, director, clean energy infrastructure deployment, at the Clean Air Task Force.
“The COLLABORATE Act provides a clear path forward by streamlining permitting, fostering interagency collaboration, and prioritizing meaningful engagement with communities and stakeholders.”
The COLLABORATE Act would establish project managers at agencies with permitting authorities to streamline permitting timelines and improve agency collaboration and coordination, a measure that aligns with recommendations made earlier this year in a joint report by CATF and the Niskanen Center.
Additionally, the bill sets clear time frames for agency authorizations following a Bureau of Ocean Energy Management record of decision on a project, giving developers greater certainty in project timelines.
“Simply put, the East Coast needs offshore wind power development to meet the surging demand for electricity,” adds Anne Reynolds, the American Clean Power Association’s vice president for offshore wind.
“The practical solutions in this bill can address unnecessary hurdles to development of this important source of offshore energy and unleash new job creation,” as well as “simplify the complex and fragmented federal system for building out transmission,” she says.
