New England senators ask Biden admin to study economic impacts of offshore wind plans | TheHill – The Hill

Sen. Angus KingAngus KingEnergy & Environment Interior in hot seat after court halts drilling sale Biden topromoteanti-gun violence measures in NYC trip New England senators ask Biden admin to study economic impacts of offshore wind plans MORE (I-Maine) leda group of all senators representing the Gulf of Maine in a letter Wednesday asking the Biden administration to thoroughly research the impact of planned offshore wind power projects on local economies.

King was joined on the bipartisan letter by Sens. Ed MarkeyEd MarkeyEnergy & Environment Interior in hot seat after court halts drilling sale New England senators ask Biden admin to study economic impacts of offshore wind plans Senate Democrats call for DOJ crackdown on counterfeit masks MORE (D-Mass.), Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenBiden nominee faces scrutiny over fintech work, compensation Schumer brushes off talk of possible primary threats to Manchin, Sinema Energy & Environment Interior in hot seat after court halts drilling sale MORE (D-Mass.), Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsTrump Jan. 6 comments renew momentum behind riot probe Energy & Environment Interior in hot seat after court halts drilling sale 'Ghost Army' members to be awarded Congressional Gold Medal MORE (R-Maine), Jeanne ShaheenCynthia (Jeanne) Jeanne ShaheenRussia crisis exacerbates US political divisions Energy & Environment Interior in hot seat after court halts drilling sale New England senators ask Biden admin to study economic impacts of offshore wind plans MORE (D-N.H.) and Maggie HassanMargaret (Maggie) HassanEnergy & Environment Interior in hot seat after court halts drilling sale New England senators ask Biden admin to study economic impacts of offshore wind plans Democrats press cryptomining companies on energy consumption MORE (D-N.H.).

We recognize the potential for our states to produce significant clean, renewable energy and to harbor a new industry and workforce through responsible development of offshore wind off our shores, the senators wrote in a letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Director Amanda Lefton.

However, it is essential that BOEM do additional outreach and research to inform the agencys planning process prior to conducting lease sales and to improve the ability to assess, predict, monitor, and manage potential environmental impacts of offshore wind in the Gulf of Maine, they added.

The senators noted additional data gaps on the projected economic impacts of the offshore development plans, calling for regionally specific research into those effects.

The Biden administration has set a goal of having 30 gigawatts of offshore wind power operating by 2030, with broader plans for leases along the east and west coasts, the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of Maine. Interior Secretary Deb HaalandDeb HaalandEnergy & Environment Interior in hot seat after court halts drilling sale New England senators ask Biden admin to study economic impacts of offshore wind plans Interior weighs fee hike for upcoming public lands drilling auctions MORE said in October that the department could hold as many as seven offshore wind lease sales by 2025. The U.S. currently has just two operating offshore wind farms that comprise 42 megawatts of wind capacity.

With the exception of Collins, the only Republican representing New England in the Senate, all signers of the letter have consistently backed the Biden administration on environmental and energy policy. Collins was one of 19 Republicans who joined every Senate Democrat in voting for last years bipartisan infrastructure package, which included increased funding for renewable energy transmission lines.

The Hill has reached out to the BOEM for comment.

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New England senators ask Biden admin to study economic impacts of offshore wind plans | TheHill - The Hill