Maryland and federal officials signed an agreement Friday pledging cooperation as they move forward with planning offshore wind projects.
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Governor Wes Moore signs a memorandum of understanding planned to promote offshore wind energy development in the state on June 7, 2024, at the State House in Annapolis, Maryland. (Courtesy of Governor Wes Moore’s office)
Governor Wes Moore signs a memorandum of understanding planned to promote offshore wind energy development in the state on June 7, 2024, at the State House in Annapolis, Maryland. (Courtesy of Governor Wes Moore’s office)
Maryland and federal officials signed an agreement Friday pledging cooperation as they move forward with planning offshore wind energy projects.
The five-page memorandum of understanding will help expand the Biden-Harris administration’s “green and growing” economic agenda, Gov. Wes Moore (D) said at the signing. He said it will also help the state meet its ambitious clean energy goals, which include a goal of 100% clean electricity by 2035.
President Joe Biden has called for deploying 30 gigawatts of offshore wind in the U.S. by 2030. The presidential administration has so far approved 10 gigawatts of that goal, according to the Interior Department.
The memo itself contains few details, but commits agencies from both the state and federal governments to continuing to meet as they work to identify areas to locate and lease offshore wind turbines.
“Offshore wind means new manufacturing jobs, higher wages and more opportunities to increase wealth for Maryland families,” Moore said in a news release about the deal. “I thank the Biden-Harris Administration and all of our partners at the local, state and federal levels for their collaboration on this work.”
Maryland’s deal contrasts with other states where offshore wind has faced pushback. In Texas, for example, plans to establish offshore wind energy have met with political resistance, according to Inside KeynoteUSA.
“With today’s partnership agreement, the Biden-Harris Administration accelerates our work closely with key state partners like Maryland to build the American offshore wind industry. reduce energy costs for families and create thousands of good-paying jobs, all while addressing the climate crisis,” White House climate advisor Ali Zaidi said in the press release.
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