The interior secretary says there is no time to waste.
The Department of the Interior announced the first lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico for wind power installations, opening over 300,000 acres in areas long dominated by fossil fuel production. The move is part of a wider administration goal of offshore wind installations up and down America’s coastlines.
“America’s clean energy transition is happening right here and now. At the Department, we are taking action to jumpstart our offshore wind industry and harness American innovation to deliver reliable, affordable power to homes and businesses,” stated Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. “There is no time to waste in making bold investments to address the climate crisis, and building a strong domestic offshore wind industry is key to meeting that challenge head-on.”
At the same time, President Biden’s administration has been facing protests over wind farm construction and the threats they pose to marine life. One scientist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said the wind turbine projects could have population-level effects on whales, and the House Judiciary Committee has also stated concerns on the issue.
Earlier this month, the Department of Energy announced $30 million for materials and manufacturing to lower the cost of large wind turbines. Last year, China was the world’s largest wind power equipment manufacturer.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Secretaries Haaland and Granholm as the Interior and Energy Departments collaborate on wind energy development.
- For members of the House Judiciary Committee as they pose their questions and concerns regarding administration policies.
- For officials in the NOAA as they report their findings on the impact of offshore wind farms.
Sources: The Hill, Fox News, Washington Times, Department of Energy
