National business association Advanced Energy United endorses legislation that would improve permitting, coordination, and cooperation among agencies

WASHINGTON, DC – The Create Offshore Leadership and Livelihood Alignment by Operating Responsibly and Together for the Environment (COLLABORATE) Act was recently introduced by Senator Whitehouse of Rhode Island, which would provide offshore wind with important and complementary resources so it can grow into a powerful energy and job-producing industry.

“We need to make it easier to build offshore wind and connect, which will create new, family sustaining jobs in communities throughout America,” said Jeremy McDiarmid, Managing Director at Advanced Energy United, a national business association of clean energy companies including offshore wind and transmission developers. “The COLLABORATE Act provides the offshore wind industry with clear timelines and efficient processes for leasing and permitting that are essential to helping this critical home-grown resource flourish. What’s more, the Act enables the planning and deployment of offshore wind transmission and ensures regulators consider the diverse benefits of this transmission for American consumers.”

Critical to the success of the offshore wind industry is the build-out of high-voltage transmission lines to connect communities and offshore wind turbines. The newly proposed legislation would improve permitting, coordination, and cooperation among agencies and with developers and stakeholders to establish holistic processes for offshore wind transmission development. 

“The COLLABORATE Act also helps offshore wind through effective permitting reform,” added McDiarmid. “Building much-needed transmission in a regional, coordinated fashion will maximize the benefits of offshore wind and minimize consumer costs.”