Hear from David J. Hayes, Deputy Secretary, US DOI on the latest US DOI, BOEM announcement at the 3rd Annual Offshore Wind Power USA 2012

(February 3, 2012) BOSTON - Echoing President Obama's State of the Union call for additional clean energy development, the US DOI and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has taken a major step towards commercial-scale offshore wind energy leasing by streamlining the development of offshore wind power in the Mid-Atlantic and announcing a finding that issuing wind energy leases in designated Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) will have no significant environmental or socioeconomic impacts.

This finding allows the US DOI to move forward with the process for wind energy lease sales off Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey and Delaware, bringing commercial-scale offshore wind energy one step closer. A similar announcement is expected for Massachusetts. Leases for offshore wind development off the East Coast could be issued by the end of 2012.

"Offshore wind holds incredible potential for our country, and we're moving full-steam ahead to accelerate the siting, leasing and construction of new projects," says DOI Secretary Ken Salazar.

"This is a critical step in the establishment of the U.S. offshore wind industry, which will create thousands of high skilled jobs and allow for billions of dollars in investment" added Jim Lanard, President of the Offshore Wind Development Coalition, a keynote speaker at Offshore Wind Power USA 2012.

Green Power Conferences' 3rd annual Offshore Wind Power USA (www.offshorewindpowercongress.com), the premier conference for professionals in the U.S. offshore wind industry being held February 22-24 at the Haynes Convention Center in Boston, will give a full view of the industry and give you the opportunity to hear firsthand from the US DOI on these recent announcements.

Highlights include keynotes addresses from Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior David J. Hayes and Richard K. Sullivan, Secretary of Massachusetts' Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, a full day focused on cost-effective strategies for developers, and a sold-out exhibition hall. 40+ senior level speakers, over 20 finance, utility and developer presentations, including a unique ‘Offshore Wind Developers Presidential Panel', presentations will also be made by senior-level executives and directors from companies such as LIPA, Dong Energy, Mainstream Renewable Power, Statoil, RES Offshore, and Elia. The complete agenda can be found at: http://www.offshorewindpowercongress.com.

"The belief among many in the industry that North America is closing in a new era of offshore construction and renewable energy production," said Nadim Chaudhry, CEO of Green Power Conferences. "This year's larger program certainly reflects the growing interest."

The 3rd annual Offshore Wind Power USA conference is expected to draw over 400 high-level professionals from every corner of the offshore wind energy industry including project developers, owners and operators, utilities, federal and state policy makers, manufacturers, component suppliers, marine shipping and transportation executives, and investors. More information about registration, accommodations and the agenda is available at: http://www.offshorewindpowercongress.com.

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