Gov. Cooper issues Executive Order requiring North Carolina to ramp up wind energy projects
Offshore wind power will become a more integral part of the state’s clean energy plan, according to Executive Order 218, issued by Gov. Roy Cooper today.
North Carolina will “strive” to develop 2.8 gigawatts of offshore wind energy, enough to power 700,000 homes, over the next decade, with a total of 8 gigawatts of wind power 2040, the order reads.
The 8-gigawatt figure would generate 25% of the state’s electricity consumption.
Since the legislature’s moratorium on wind energy expired in 2018, North Carolina has looked for ways to restart the fledgling industry, not only for environmental reasons but economic ones.
In March, the Department of Commerce released a report showing that one 352-megawatt offshore wind farm would create an estimated 5,522 direct/indirect construction jobs and an estimated 191 direct/indirect jobs.
Read more: http://pulse.ncpolicywatch.org/2021/06/09/gov-cooper-issues-executive-order-requiring-north-carolina-to-ramp-up-wind-energy-projects/