Today, Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02) released the following statement on the Department of Energy’s (DOE) new Offshore Wind Energy Strategy. This comprehensive plan outlines DOE’s work to meet the President’s clean energy goal to deploy 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind energy by 2030, which could power 10 million homes and support 77,000 jobs across the country.

“To reach our ambitious climate goals, we must unleash the power of American clean energy – and that includes offshore wind energy development,” said Congresswoman Ross. “North Carolina is a leader in the nation’s offshore wind industry, but we must work across all levels of government to unlock this sector’s full potential. Investing in and developing our nation’s offshore wind industry will create good-paying jobs, spur economic growth, and put us on a path to more sustainable future. The Department of Energy has a critical role to play in our offshore wind energy economy, and I thank Secretary Granholm for making wind energy a priority. I look forward to continuing to work with the Biden administration to advance offshore wind energy development in North Carolina and nationwide.”

Congresswoman Ross has championed efforts in Congress to expand offshore wind development. Her legislation to repeal the 10-year moratorium on offshore wind leasing in the Southeast was signed into law last year as part of the Inflation Reduction Act.

More information about DOE’s strategy is available here and information about the Biden-Harris administration’s broader national strategy is available here.