NEW BEDFORD – More than 100 community leaders, officials and wind industry decision makers from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean gathered Tuesday at the New Bedford Whaling Museum to discuss the future of U.S. offshore wind energy and opportunities for collaboration and exchange.
U.K. panelists provided details on how it made offshore wind a major economic driver for coastal regions.
Local leaders were interested in the experiences and lessons learned in the U.K. which led to it becoming the European leader in offshore wind.
Featured Speakers included Congressmen William Keating and Joe Kennedy III, along with Consul General Harriet Cross, New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell and wind developers competing in New England markets.
“A critical need for clean energy makes this one of the most important initiatives in our area,” said U.S. Rep. Bill Keating.
“Twenty-five percent of the offshore wind capacity in the entire country is forecast for this region. These investments don’t just mean clean renewable energy. They mean next generation jobs and making our region a hub of marine and clean energy technology,” said Keating.
The congressman said was important to bring together investors and industry leaders from the UK with our state, local, and federal officials who have united to move these projects forward.
“We share this commitment to wind energy, and together we are working to make sure this industry is an important piece of achieving greater energy, economic, and national security going forward,” he said.
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