VA Offshore Wind Sale Underscores Vast Potential of OCS Energy
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Contact: Robert Myers, (202) 347-6900, rmyers@nullnoia.org
VA Offshore Wind Sale Underscores Vast Potential of OCS Energy
Washington, D.C. – National Ocean Industries Association President Randall Luthi today issued the following statement on bidding in today’s OCS Wind Sale, the nation’s second offshore wind auction:
“Following the Bureau of Ocean Management’s auction in July, off the shores of Rhode Island and Massachusetts, today’s Lease Sale of 112,800 acres off the Virginia coast underscores the Administration’s commitment to developing renewable energy resources on the Outer Continental Shelf. NOIA represents all companies involved in the production of OCS energy and applauds the Interior Department for continuing to move forward with the development of this relatively new resource. Our nation’s oceans are a major source of energy and hold vast, untapped resources yet-to-be developed.
“Bringing the wind resources of the OCS to market is an important first step toward an “all-of-the-above” energy policy and the Administration will point to this sale as a prime example of such a pursuit. However, we cannot help but point out that acreage off Virginia’s coasts that had been under consideration for oil and gas development continues to be off-limits. There may be vast quantities of oil and natural gas lying untapped off the coast of Virginia but the Administration continues to slow-walk the process that would allow for new seismic studies to be conducted thus opening the door for a truly “all-of-the-above” American energy plan.
“We encourage the Administration to swiftly move forward on the development of offshore oil and natural gas in the Mid-Atlantic just as they continue to do with offshore wind. The rising energy demands of the nation require nothing less.”
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ABOUT NOIA
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. NOIA’s mission is to secure reliable access and a fair regulatory and economic environment for the companies that develop the nation’s valuable offshore energy resources in an environmentally responsible manner. The NOIA membership comprises about 300 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, and renewable energy.
