The U.S. offshore wind industry is picking up pace as eastern states are pushing aggressive wind energy procurement goals. Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut recently contracted for offshore wind capacity totaling 1.4 gigawatts. New York and New Jersey are making progress towards project solicitations.
New Jersey lawmakers have passed a suite of sweeping measures to propel the state’s clean energy agenda under Democratic Governor Phil Murphy's administration. The swift turn of events marks a significant shift from his Republican predecessor Chris Christie who withdrew the state from the carbon market and shunned offshore wind.
Ever more states are embracing pro-renewable policies by committing to clean energy and ramping up their clean energy targets despite federal policy uncertainty under the Trump administration. Frontrunners like California, Hawaii, New York, and Massachusetts are encouraging other states with nascent markets to follow suit.
DetailsEver more states are embracing pro-renewable policies by committing to clean energy and ramping up their clean energy targets despite federal policy uncertainty under the Trump administration. Frontrunners like California, Hawaii, New York, and Massachusetts are encouraging other states with nascent markets to follow suit.
The wind industry is facing new problems just as developers are rushing to get new projects in the pipeline ahead of the 2019 expiration of the federal production tax credit, a key driver of growth. Roadblocks include efforts to slash payouts to wind farms under PURPA, delays in connecting to the grid, and even a State moratorium on new projects.
DetailsThe U.S. wind energy industry has grown significantly over the past decade thanks to federal and state support, along with technology advancements improving costs and performance. The federal production tax credit (PTC) has left the greatest impact on the industry. However, the PTC expires in 2019 narrowing the window for new projects as the industry prepares for a slowdown. Other challenges, such as attempts to redefine PURPA terms and assess the impact of wind farms on tourism, along with slow growth in electric demand, make the outlook on wind less certain.
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has approved legislation that will significantly expand solar, and issued an executive order mitigating the effects of a temporary wind energy moratorium included in the legislation. While the moratorium deals a setback for North Carolina which recently completed its first utility-scale wind project, Gov. Cooper’s move shows commitment to the nascent wind industry, bringing some consolation to wind developers as projects can undergo the lengthy preliminary processes during the ban and quickly come online afterward.
DetailsNorth Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has approved legislation that will significantly expand solar, and issued an executive order mitigating the effects of a temporary wind energy moratorium included in the legislation. While the moratorium deals a setback for North Carolina which recently completed its first utility-scale wind project, Gov. Cooper’s move shows his commitment to the nascent wind industry, bringing some consolation to wind developers as projects can undergo the lengthy preliminary processes during the ban and quickly come online afterward.
Legislation enacted across states in 2017 calls for greater diversity in power sources—from expanding renewables to supporting nuclear and natural gas infrastructure. However, there is a clear trend showing the intent to prioritize clean energy and climate policy. States in the forefront of grid modernization plans continue to support renewable development while others are following their models as a way to emulate effective policies.
DetailsLegislation enacted across states in 2017 calls for greater diversity in power sources—from expanding renewables to supporting nuclear and natural gas infrastructure. However, there is a clear trend showing the intent to prioritize clean energy and climate policy. States in the forefront of grid modernization plans continue to support renewable development while others are following their models as a way to emulate effective policies.
The Maryland Public Service Commission has awarded offshore wind renewable energy credits to advance two large-scale offshore projects with a combined capacity of 368 MW, potentially outdoing the capacity of the 30 MW Block Island, the only operational offshore wind facility in the U.S. The extension of the wind PTC and the successful completion of the Block Island project have spurred more companies and states to increase their focus on offshore wind development. State policy shifts to advance offshore wind projects will likely provide the much-needed impetus for the U.S. offshore wind industry, which has been plagued by regulatory uncertainty, permitting hurdles, high infrastructure costs, and public resistance.
DetailsThe Maryland Public Service Commission has awarded offshore wind renewable energy credits to advance two large-scale offshore projects with a combined capacity of 368 MW, potentially outdoing the capacity of the 30 MW Block Island, the only operational offshore wind facility in the U.S. The extension of the wind PTC and the successful completion of the Block Island project have spurred more companies and states to increase their focus on offshore wind development. State policy shifts to advance offshore wind projects will likely provide the much-needed impetus for the U.S. offshore wind industry, which has been plagued by regulatory uncertainty, permitting hurdles, high infrastructure costs, and public resistance.
