At Last: NOIA Congratulates Cape Wind on Securing DOI Approval

For Immediate Release:                                             Contact:  Nicolette Nye

Wednesday, April 28, 2010                                                              (202) 347-6900          

At Last: NOIA Congratulates Cape Wind on Securing DOI Approval

WASHINGTON, DC – The following is a statement by NOIA President Randall Luthi regarding Interior Secretary Ken Salazar’s decision on the Cape Wind project in Nantucket Sound.

"Today’s approval of the Cape Wind project is welcome news and a bold step toward including offshore wind as one of America’s home-grown offshore energy industries.  Given the decade-long debate over the project, I understand this decision was not made easily or lightly, and I applaud Interior Secretary Ken Salazar for upholding the commitments of this and the previous Administration to making the development of offshore wind energy a top priority.

“This first approval of an offshore wind project by the Department of the Interior is an encouraging example to all such projects currently under consideration as well as those yet to come. The project has the potential to generate hundreds of new jobs in the New England region, and once operational, provide clean source electricity to Cape Cod.

“NOIA strongly supports the Cape Wind Project and the development of all offshore renewable energy sources.  Energy is energy, and renewable energy development on the Outer Continental Shelf, whether it be wind, wave, ocean current or solar, will add to the overall diversity of the nation's energy sources while generating new jobs for Americans, and reducing our dependence on foreign energy sources.”

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 NOIA is the only national trade association representing all segments of the offshore industry with an interest in the exploration and production of both traditional and renewable energy resources on the nation’s outer continental shelf.  The NOIA membership comprises more than 250 companies engaged in business activities ranging from producing to drilling, engineering to marine and air transport, offshore construction to equipment manufacture and supply, telecommunications to finance and insurance.