Windpower Engineering & Development

  • Home
  • Articles
    • Most recent posts
    • News
    • Featured
  • Resources
    • Digital issues
    • Podcasts
    • Suppliers
    • Webinars
    • Events
  • Videos
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
  • Magazine
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

New “WIND Act” to spur offshore wind energy in the U.S.

By Michelle Froese | June 10, 2016

Sen. Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., have proposed legislation that would extend the 30% investment tax credit (ITC) through 2025.

Senators Edward J. Markey, D-Mass and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., have proposed legislation that would extend the 30% ITC through 2025.

As Europe now supports roughly 60,000 jobs in the offshore wind sector, U.S. Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) have introduced legislation that would spur the growth of offshore wind energy in America.

The Offshore Wind Incentives for New Development (WIND) Act would extend the 30% Investment Tax Credit for offshore wind through 2025.

Last year’s omnibus bill extended the Production Tax Credit (PTC) and Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for wind until 2019, but because offshore energy development requires longer planning and permitting times, the Department of Energy has found that no offshore wind projects are projected to be able to qualify for these tax credits before they expire.

The first offshore wind project, developed by Deepwater Wind near Block Island, Rhode Island is expected to come online later this year after being initiated nearly eight years ago.

“The answer to America’s clean energy future really is blowing in the wind,” said Senator Markey, a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee and chair of the Senate Climate Clearinghouse. “Offshore wind projects hold tremendous promise for our nation and for Massachusetts as an engine to create tens of thousands of jobs, harness homegrown innovation, and reduce carbon pollution. We are the Saudi Arabia of offshore wind in New England and we need to harness that potential by providing long-term certainty to this industry in the tax code.”

“Southern New England is home to America’s first offshore wind project, which has created jobs for Rhode Islanders and is poised to provide clean, renewable energy to Rhode Island homes and businesses. It’s been a boost for our economy, and it will help to reduce the carbon pollution driving climate change,” said Senator Whitehouse, a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee and co-chair of the Senate Climate Action Task Force. “This bill will keep an important tax credit on the books so New England and other coastal and Great Lakes areas can continue to reap the benefits of offshore wind.”

Other Senators co-sponsoring the legislation are: Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and Kristen Gillibrand (D-N.Y.).

In April, Senators Markey and Whitehouse led a group of Democratic Senators in calling on Senate leadership to extend tax programs to help spur the development of offshore wind energy.

A copy of the Offshore WIND Act can be found here.

Source: www.markey.senate.gov


Filed Under: News, Offshore wind, Policy

 

About The Author

Michelle Froese

Related Articles Read More >

US government allows Empire Wind offshore project to resume construction
Richardson Electronics to deliver pitch energy modules to TransAlta wind fleets
Equinor halts work on Empire Wind offshore project after federal government order
ARESCA wants input on offshore wind standards

Podcasts

Wind Spotlight: Looking back at a year of Thrive with ZF Wind Power
See More >

Windpower Engineering & Development Digital Edition

Digital Edition

Browse the most current issue of Windpower Engineering & Development and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading wind power engineering magazine today.

Windpower Engineering & Development
  • Wind Articles
  • Solar Power World
  • Subscribe to Windpower Engineering
  • About Us/Contact Us

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising

Search Windpower Engineering & Development

  • Home
  • Articles
    • Most recent posts
    • News
    • Featured
  • Resources
    • Digital issues
    • Podcasts
    • Suppliers
    • Webinars
    • Events
  • Videos
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
  • Magazine
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe