On March 30, U.S. President Barack Obama joined with the governors of Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Pennsylvania as well as the representatives of a number of federal agencies in signing a bipartisan Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will streamline the development of offshore wind resources in the Great Lakes region. 

The creation of the Great Lakes Offshore Wind Energy Consortium responds in part to a request to the president from a bipartisan group of governors last June to establish a combined intergovernmental state-federal task force on wind energy development. It also supports the Obama Administration’s “all of the above” approach to renewable energy production and fossil fuel independence.  

Located near the U.S.-Canada border, Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario comprise 21 percent of the world's surface fresh water. The total offshore wind potential in the Great Lakes regions is over 700 gigawatts (GW). This represents about one-fifth of the total offshore wind potential in the United States.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimates that each gigawatt of offshore wind generation installed could produce enough electricity to power 300,000 homes.  According to the White House, “The efforts made possible by [this] agreement will also bolster existing investments in offshore wind technologies by promoting a consistent and predictable regulatory environment that inspires innovation and helps to bring clean energy solutions to market.”

In particular, the signatories hope to stimulate economic revitalization in the economically hard-hit region. The development of even a small portion of the area’s offshore wind potential could create tens of thousands of clean energy jobs and generate revenue for local businesses. 

A similar agreement forming the Atlantic Offshore Wind Energy Consortium has been successful in spurring cooperation and increased efficiencies with respect to wind development in the Atlantic outer continental shelf.

“President Obama is focused on leveraging American energy sources, including increased oil and gas production, the safe development of nuclear power, as well as renewable energy from sources like wind and solar, which is on track to double in the President’s first term,” said Nancy Sutley, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality.  “This agreement among Federal agencies and Great Lakes states is a smart, practical way to encourage the development of homegrown energy that will create jobs, power homes, and help increase our nation’s energy security.”

 “As the President has made clear, an American economy that lasts is one built on American energy, designed and produced by American workers,” said Deputy Energy Secretary Daniel Poneman.  “This effort will allow us to tap into our abundant offshore resources, enhancing our energy security through an all-of-the-above strategy that develops every available source of American energy.”

The MOU will enhance collaboration between federal and state agencies to speed review of proposed offshore wind projects.  Specifically, federal and state agencies will develop an action plan that sets priorities and recommends steps for achieving efficient and responsible evaluation of proposed offshore wind power projects in the Great Lakes region.

“This agreement will enable states to work together to ensure that any proposed off-shore wind projects are reviewed in a consistent manner, and that the various state and federal agencies involved collaborate and coordinate their reviews,” said Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett

 “The Great Lakes have the potential to provide clean energy from offshore wind and related green jobs in upstate New York,” said New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.  “This MOU offers a responsible mechanism for enhanced and efficient collaboration among federal, state and local interests in evaluating processes and proposals for development of this resource.”

In addition to the five states represented in the MOU, the following agencies signed off on the Great Lakes Offshore Wind Energy Consortium:

·         White House Council on Environmental Quality

·         U.S. Department of Energy

·         U.S. Department of Defense

·         U.S. Department of the Army

·         Advisory Council on Historic Preservation

·         U.S. Coast Guard

·         U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

·         U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

·         Federal Aviation Administration

·         National Oceanic (News - Alert) and Atmospheric Administration

For a full copy of the MOU, visit the Department of Energy website.