WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) today issued the following statement Thursday after U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement was initiating the process to offer the first commercial wind lease under the “Smart from the Start” Atlantic Offshore Wind program. The announcement came after the Bureau concluded that there were was no competing interest for the area of the Atlantic Ocean that NRG Bluewater Wind Delaware, LLC, had proposed for its project.
“This is great news for Delaware and another sign that our state has the wind at its back in the development of clean, renewable energy. Delaware has been steadily charting a course for offshore wind development, and this announcement is another milestone in our progress towards a robust industry. I am very encouraged by the steps the Department of the Interior has taken today. The Bluewater Wind Project has been a forerunner to the DOI’s Smart from the Start Initiative, by which we hope to harness the enormous potential offshore wind. The NRG Bluewater Wind project is now on a clear path to move forward, and, as a member of the Senate Energy Committee, I will continue to do everything possible to help bring clean power and its job opportunities to our state.”
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