The Oceantic Network, the leading organization working to advance offshore wind and other ocean renewable industries and their supply chains, welcomes the announcement from the Biden-Harris administration, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, and the state’s federal delegation to identify new wind energy areas sufficient for Maryland to achieve its 8.5 GW offshore wind goal. The Biden-Harris administration released news of the commitment along with a Central Atlantic Proposed Sale Notice (PSN) for nearly 278,000 acres, enough to power 2.2 million homes, to occur in mid-2024. While furthering the industry, the proposed sale would be insufficient to meet Maryland and North Carolina’s offshore wind goals individually and collectively and would leave little room for states like Delaware to enter the offshore wind industry. The agreement between the Biden-Harris administration and Governor Moore seeks to identify new areas for a 2025 auction geared towards meeting Maryland’s goals.

The following statement can be attributed to Liz Burdock, founder and CEO of Oceantic Network:

“The Oceantic Network welcomes BOEM’s announcement of more than 275,000 acres for lease in the Central Atlantic and applauds the commitment from the Biden-Harris administration, Governor Moore, and our federal partners to quickly identify new shallow-water wind energy areas for auction as soon as 2025. These actions will ensure that Maryland can meet its clean energy and economic development goals.

"Central Atlantic states are depending on offshore wind as the cornerstone of their clean energy futures and created policies to position the region as an industry manufacturing and logistics hub. The Federal region is just as dependent on a revived steel industry in Baltimore and thriving Hampton Roads area to anchor a domestic supply chain and meet national goals.

"As the current acreage identified does not yet meet those goals, it is imperative that our federal and state governments lay out a clear pathway to achieving state commitments. The Central Atlantic is home to many ocean users with complex needs, and we are thankful for the advocacy from our federal and state partners who are working hard to advance our industry. The Network looks forward to next year’s Central Atlantic auction and remains steadfast in our commitment to realizing the full economic potential the central Atlantic offers the offshore wind industry.”