Support for Proposed Wind Farm

I am a strong supporter of efforts to bring an offshore wind farm to the Delaware coast because it will provide clean, affordable, and reliable electricity for our state. It's also the best option for reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, such as the coal used to fire the Indian River Power Plant near Millsboro. Fossil fuels pose both environmental and health risks to our state, and the more energy we can generate from alternative sources, the closer we are to eliminating these risks.

While the environmental impact of the proposed wind farm is a critical issue, I think the State also needs to pay more attention to the significant economic development potential of being the first state to build an offshore wind park. Currently, states across the country are fiercely competing for new jobs and businesses, while battling to retain existing ones.

At the same time, the renewable energy industry in this region and across the country is growing. Our need to reduce pollution and switch from traditional fossil fuel energy sources means new jobs in manufacturing, research and development, shipping and transportation, construction, and operations and maintenance. Bluewater Wind's proposal is a unique opportunity to get in on the ground floor of this industry and take advantage of its huge growth potential.

Last month, I met with Hunter Armistead, head of Babcock & Brown's energy division. Babcock & Brown is Bluewater Wind's parent company. In that meeting, Mr. Armistead committed to making Delaware Babcock & Brown's regional hub for offshore wind development and maintenance, provided the State move forward with Bluewater Wind's proposal in a timely manner.

In addition, I secured a commitment from Babcock & Brown to partner with a two-year college, such as Delaware Technical & Community College, to develop a regional training program in the state for wind turbine maintenance technicians. This commitment includes a $150,000 grant to help develop the program, as well as significant contributions in professional expertise.

These commitments allow Delaware to become a national leader in the new, clean energy economy, creating good, high-paying jobs, as well as new business opportunities for Delawareans. It is also another strong, compelling reason we should move forward with Bluewater Wind's proposal to build an offshore wind park.

The agreements go beyond the hundreds of jobs the Delaware project will produce. As the demand for clean, renewable energy increases, more projects will follow in the region, including in Maryland and New Jersey. These jobs will require highly-skilled tradesmen and women for building and maintenance, and a growing workforce that can meet the industry's needs.

Only one regional center will be used to serve numerous offshore wind farms. Delaware is perfectly suited to become the hub of this growing industry and is ready to meet the challenges that lie ahead. We cannot afford to let this opportunity pass us by. If Babcock & Brown does not grow its business in Delaware, it will do it somewhere else in the Mid-Atlantic region. I want it to be here.

Moving forward with this proposal is the right thing to do for both our economy and our environment. Bluewater Wind's project will not only provide many of the jobs that we need to develop a 21st century economy, it will help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

We pride ourselves in Delaware on being the First State. Today, we have the chance to lay claim to that title once again, this time as the regional leader for a new industry that will, without a doubt, grow rapidly in the years ahead. This commitment from Babcock & Brown is another great reason for the General Assembly to move forward with the Bluewater Wind proposal. In the days and weeks ahead, I will continue to encourage the members of the House and Senate to get the job done.