June 9th, 2024 by WCBC Radio

Governor Wes Moore signed a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to advance Maryland’s offshore wind development in the Central Atlantic. The agreement will help make Maryland more competitive by building a more robust supply chain, creating more jobs for Marylanders, and supporting more coordinated, resilient, and sustainable development of offshore wind generation. Offshore wind development is also a critical component of Maryland meeting state climate goals.

The governor was joined at the State House for the signing by U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland; White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi; Bureau of Ocean Emergency Management Director Liz Klein; U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, Congressman John Sarbanes, and Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz. “Maryland is serious about offshore wind – not just because of what it means for our environment, but also because of what it means for our economy,” said Gov. Moore. “Offshore wind means new manufacturing jobs, higher wages, and more opportunity to grow wealth for Maryland families. I’m grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration and all of our partners at the local, state, and federal levels for their partnership in this work. Together, we will build an economy that is both green and growing.” 

The agreement recognizes the commitments of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the State of Maryland to explore and develop areas for offshore wind leasing to ensure efficient development of offshore wind, maximize national domestic benefits from offshore wind development, and address the gaps in available offshore wind leasing area availability.

Maryland will play an important role in helping achieve the Biden-Harris Administration’s ambitious renewable energy goal of deploying 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy capacity by 2030,” said U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. “Today’s announcement represents another important step towards a clean, reliable energy future with good-paying jobs and economic opportunities that are accessible to communities across America.”

“With today’s partnership agreement, the Biden-Harris Administration accelerates our work in lock step with key state partners like Maryland to build the American offshore wind industry, cut energy costs for families, and create thousands of good-paying jobs, all while tackling the climate crisis,” said President Biden’s National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi. “Thanks to President Biden’s vision and strong partnership with leaders like Governor Moore, Senator Van Hollen, and Senator Cardin, the Biden-Harris Administration will continue to work closely with Maryland to responsibly develop additional areas for offshore wind leasing in the Central Atlantic and grow this industry. The Biden-Harris Administration will continue to use every available tool to ensure American workers and communities reap the economic and environmental benefits of this growing industry in Maryland and across the country.”

“BOEM is proud of our commitment to build a robust offshore wind industry that benefits communities and co-exists with other ocean uses,” said Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Director Klein. “This Memorandum of Understanding solidifies our partnership to collaborate on expanding the opportunities for offshore wind energy in the Central Atlantic.”

Offshore wind holds great promise to lower Marylanders’ energy costs, create good-paying jobs, and drive progress on our ambitious clean energy goals. That’s why I’ve been working closely with the Biden Administration and the Governor over many months to ensure we have the leasing space available in the Central Atlantic to unleash its full potential,” said Senator Chris Van Hollen. “With this pivotal agreement, we’re moving forward on this path to grow our economy and tackle the climate crisis head-on.” 

“Offshore wind is a key component of the renewable energy transition and critical to achieving Maryland’s bold climate goals. I’m pleased to see this important collaboration between the Biden-Harris and Moore Administrations to accelerate the development and deployment of offshore wind projects, spurring economic growth and creating good-paying clean energy jobs in the process,” said Congressman John Sarbanes. “The Memorandum of Understanding signed today brings us another step closer to ensuring a greener, more sustainable future for Maryland.”