The U.S. Department of Interior is seeking information and nominations for possible wind energy leases off the coast of Oregon and in the Central Atlantic, a news release said.
“The Biden-Harris administration is committed to supporting a robust clean energy economy, and the upcoming steps taken toward possible leasing off the coast of Oregon and Central Atlantic provides another opportunity to strengthen the clean energy industry while creating good-paying union jobs,” Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said in a statement. “We will continue using every tool in our toolbox to tackle the climate crisis, reduce our emissions to reach President Biden’s bold goals and advance environmental justice.”
The calls for information and nominations help the department identify areas that could be suitable for wind-energy leases, the news release said.
"Today’s announcement reflects years of working with ocean users, tribal governments and local, state and federal agencies as we drive toward achieving the ambitious goals of the Biden-Harris administration to fight climate change and create good-paying jobs,” Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Director Amanda Lefton said in a statement.
In recent months, BOEM and the Department of the Interior have announced and celebrated wind energy leases. The departments have also celebrated the groundbreaking for the second offshore wind energy project off of New York and Rhode Island.
The Department of the Interior plans for up to seven new offshore lease sales by 2025.
