NOIA: California can be a global leader in unlocking the floating wind frontier

National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) President Erik Milito issued the following statement after the Department of the Interior announced it will hold an offshore wind energy lease sale for areas off central and northern California:

"California and the entire West Coast are well-positioned for global leadership in the deployment of floating wind technology. Scaling and deploying floating wind projects is fundamental to tapping the vast wind resources of the frontier deepwater areas off our Pacific Coast and around the globe. Federal offshore leasing and permitting offshore California will spur renewable energy growth while creating jobs and investment. 

“Collaboration among stakeholders and federal agencies will continue to be crucial to the success of the offshore wind sector. Specifically, continued engagement among BOEM, NOAA, the military and other stakeholders will help ensure that sufficient flexibility is provided and impediments are avoided. The experience of the offshore industry demonstrates that offshore wind effectively coexists and thrives along with local marine life and existing oceanic industries.”