U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. praised the initiative announced on Monday by the Obama Administration to accelerate the development and deployment of offshore wind as an energy source in a strategic plan that includes the Outer Continental Shelf off New Jersey.
“ Offshore wind energy is a smart way to generate clean, inexpensive electricity ,” said Pallone. “This is also a step forward in reducing our dependence on foreign oil, cutting down on the pollution caused by fossil fuels and a means of advancing new technologies that could produce jobs in America.”
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced the “ National Strategic Work Plan for Offshore Wind ” as a means of fostering the growth of an offshore wind industry, including the pursuit of breakthrough technologies.
Today’s announcement includes $50.5 million for projects in the mid-Atlantic area, which includes sites off the shores of New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia and Maryland. The first step in the process will be environmental reviews.
Up to $25 million would be designated for the development of new technologies, including designs for wind turbines.
“ The pursuit of innovative technologies can generate economic activity as well as clean energy ,” said Pallone. “ It can lead to new businesses and more jobs with a forward-looking energy policy. ”
In addition to the development of new technologies, the plan announced today would allocate funding to identify business opportunities and to further advance next generation turbines, a core technology of wind energy.
[mappress]
Source: thestatecolumn, February 11, 2011