BOEM and Maryland Sign MOU to Boost Offshore Wind Development
The Department of the Interior has announced a significant step forward in the Biden-Harris administration’s push for renewable energy with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the State of Maryland. This agreement aims to enhance the development of offshore wind energy, contributing to President Bidenโs goal of deploying 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy capacity by 2030.
The announcement was made at a signing ceremony in Annapolis, attended by Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, BOEM Director Elizabeth Klein, White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi, and Maryland Governor Wes Moore.
“Maryland is crucial to achieving our ambitious renewable energy goals,” stated Secretary Haaland. “This MOU represents another important step toward a clean, reliable energy future, creating good-paying jobs and economic opportunities accessible to communities across America.”
The partnership will see BOEM and Maryland working together to identify and develop potential offshore wind leasing areas. This collaboration is part of the administration’s broader strategy to expand the American offshore wind industry, reduce energy costs, and create thousands of jobs while addressing the climate crisis.
Under the MOU, the Central Atlantic Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force will continue its work, enhancing collaboration and tackling challenges related to offshore wind leasing. This effort is expected to bolster the supply chain, increase economic returns, and create domestic jobs.
“Today’s agreement accelerates our efforts with key state partners like Maryland to build the offshore wind industry,” said National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi. “Thanks to President Bidenโs vision and partnership with Maryland, we will continue to develop additional areas for offshore wind leasing in the Central Atlantic.”
This announcement follows a December 2023 commitment by the Biden-Harris administration to evaluate further offshore wind energy areas off Maryland’s coast. This effort included collaboration with multiple federal agencies, Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, and Governor Moore.
President Bidenโs Investing in America agenda is focused on rebuilding infrastructure, driving investments in clean energy, and creating jobs to combat the climate crisis. Since the administration took office, the Department of the Interior has approved eight commercial offshore wind projects, held four lease auctions, and advanced plans for additional Wind Energy Areas across the United States.
BOEM Director Klein emphasized the commitment to building a robust offshore wind industry that benefits communities and co-exists with other ocean uses, highlighting the importance of the new MOU in achieving these goals.
