Congresswoman Elaine Luria has announced the creation of a Congressional Offshore Wind Caucus, a bipartisan group of lawmakers focused on improving offshore wind technology, investing in the offshore wind workforce, and making the US a clean energy leader
Joining Congresswoman Luria on the Congressional Offshore Wind Caucus are vice chairs Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ-02), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-20), and Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24).
The mission of the Congressional Offshore Wind Caucus is to find bipartisan solutions to address the offshore wind industry’s challenges, promote workforce development, and advocate for policies that will strengthen our economy and improve the environment.
“Now, more than ever, it is vital to make robust investments in clean and renewable sources of energy,” said Congresswoman Elaine Luria.
“In addition to helping us avoid some of the most severe impacts of climate change, expanding offshore wind energy would create long-term job opportunities for countless Americans. I am proud to lead the Congressional Offshore Wind Caucus to explore common-ground policies that will make our nation a global offshore wind leader.”
Congressman Drew said, “The Offshore Wind Caucus will bring a bipartisan focus to clean, offshore energy production and ensure the energy and environmental needs of communities are carefully considered in the US House of Representatives.”
Congressman Panetta said, “California has an opportunity to work with President Biden towards the ambitious, but achievable, shared goal to secure 100% of our state’s energy from carbon-free sources by 2045.
“Reaching this goal hinges on increasing offshore wind generation. Developing proposals for offshore wind projects off our coasts will require working closely with impacted communities. My goal as co-chair of this caucus is to ensure that all impacted stakeholders, including coastal residents, fishing communities, and marine conservation interests, are consulted as we all work together to drive down emissions and work towards a clean energy economy.”
Congressman Carbajal said his district on the central coast is no stranger to the impact of climate change. “Through pragmatic policies and strategic investment, we can harness the power of offshore wind to combat climate change and grow our economy at the same time,” he said.
Representing Coastal Virginia, in 2019, Congresswoman Luria cosponsored the Offshore Wind Jobs and Opportunity Act, which would direct the Department of Energy to annually award US$25M career training grants to institutions with offshore wind workforce development programmes.
Riviera Maritime Media’s Offshore Wind Journal Conference will be held on 25 March 2021 – use this link for more details and to register for this virtual conference
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