President Biden Announces Plan for Offshore Wind Development in The Gulf of Mexico

The White House on July 20 announced that the U.S. Interior Department will pursue offshore wind energy development in the Gulf of Mexico, as part of a series of executive actions to tackle climate change. The department proposed the first wind energy areas in the region, which cover more than 700,000 acres and have the potential to power more than three million homes.

The potential areas are located off the coasts of Galveston, Texas, and Lake Charles, Louisiana. The agency also released an environmental assessment spanning the entire call area to examine the potential impacts from site characterization and assessment activities that are anticipated following lease issuance. Comments on the proposed wind energy areas and the draft assessment are due within 30 days.

A 2020 study by the National Renewable Energy Lab estimates that wind turbines can generate up to 508 gigawatts of electrical power in the Gulf of Mexico, twice as much as Gulf states consume collectively.

While the prior administration cast doubt over the future of wind energy development off the coasts of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, the latest action includes a directive for the Secretary of the Interior to advance development in these areas.

The latest action builds on a June 23 announcement by the U.S. Energy Department that it will spearhead an all-encompassing offshore wind supply chain action plan by participating in the Biden administration’s Federal-State Offshore Wind Implementation Partnership. The collaboration will help build a reliable domestic offshore wind supply chain, advance the growth of the industry, provide affordable clean energy, and grow a skilled, well-paid U.S. workforce. The partnership is expected to advance President Biden’s goal of achieving 30 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity by 2030, spur investment of $12 billion annually in offshore projects, support 77,000 jobs, and help reach 100 percent clean electricity by 2035.

The White House pointed to progress in the private sector with regard to investments aimed at expanding a U.S.-made wind energy supply chain. Last year alone, investors announced $2.2 billion in new supply chain funding, which includes commitments to establish nine major manufacturing facilities to produce components for offshore wind turbines.

The American Clean Power Association applauded the move saying it will help progress toward the administration’s goal. The group also underscored the need to rapidly mobilize across all sectors to achieve emissions targets and address climate change.