Tonko Announces Sweeping Offshore Wind Legislation

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Congressman Paul D. Tonko (D-NY) today introduced the Offshore Energy Modernization Act, legislation that provides a comprehensive blueprint to ensure the long-term viability and success of U.S. offshore wind development.

In 2021, President Biden announced the nation's goal to deploy 30 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2030. Tonko's legislation implements critical measures and reforms to help responsibly develop offshore wind and enable the industry to meet those goals.

"Offshore wind investments don't just benefit coastal regions, but provide significant benefits to communities across the nation - including New York's Capital Region - in the form of good paying jobs, increased manufacturing, and development of critical components," Congressman Tonko said. "While we've taken key steps to drive investment in wind, our work is far from over. In order to meet our national goals and take full advantage of the economic boon offshore wind presents, we need strong federal action from Congress - and my Offshore Energy Modernization Act is the solution. I hope my colleagues join me in supporting this legislation to ensure we unlock the full potential of American offshore wind energy production and deployment."

The Offshore Energy Modernization Act:

· Reforms the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to better reflect the realities of offshore wind development and provide long-term certainty for this emerging industry.

· Facilitates timely and efficient permitting of offshore renewable energy projects by providing funding for early, robust community engagement, including Tribal consultation.

· Ensures that offshore renewable energy projects support good-paying, union jobs and a reliable, domestic supply chain.

· Invests in marine and coastal habitat protection and compensates fishing interests that have been impacted by offshore wind development.

· Establishes the Offshore Power Administration to provide Federal assistance to advance shared offshore transmission infrastructure.

· Creates new Department of Energy grant and loan guarantee opportunities to support U.S. shipbuilding needed to construct offshore wind projects.

A fact sheet of the Offshore Energy Modernization Act can be found HERE.

A section-by-section summary can be found HERE.

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