Page 15: of Marine News Magazine (October 2023)

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Column

Washington Watch

The Headwinds of

Offshore Wind Development

By Jeff R. Vogel, Partner, Cozen O’Connor

On March 29, 2021, ity.” The U.S. maritime industry, of course, enthusiasti-

President Biden announced his ambitious plan to deploy cally responded to the Administration’s goal, anticipating 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind power – enough the numerous opportunities to develop jobs throughout energy to power 10 million U.S. homes – by 2030. The the construction and operation phases of this emerging plan would leverage authorities under the Department industry. Vessel construction contracts were signed, ter- of Interior, Energy, and Commerce to guide “more than minal space was identi? ed for development, environmen- $12 billion per year in capital investment in projects on tal permit applications were ? led, and new joint ventures both U.S. coasts, create tens of thousands of good-paying, were formed to bring together the unique expertise of union jobs, with more than 44,000 workers employed Jones Act vessel operators with foreign experience from in offshore wind by 2030 and nearly 33,000 additional European offshore wind markets.

jobs in communities supported by offshore wind activ- However, two-and-a-half years later, there are signs that © nblxer / Adobe Stock www.marinelink.com MN 15|