U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) recently proposed bipartisan legislation that would establish a grant program for wind energy research, development and demonstration.
“Our bipartisan bill would encourage and accelerate the excellent wind energy research being done on new technologies that will enable businesses to continue to develop this clean source of power, including off the coast of Maine,” Sen. Collins said on Monday.
On Oct. 22, she cosponsored the Wind Energy Research and Development Act of 2019, S. 2660, with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) to reauthorize and expand the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Wind Energy and to award competitive grants to improve the energy efficiency, reliability, and capacity of wind energy generation.
The same-named H.R. 3609 was introduced in July by U.S. Reps. Don Bacon (R-NE) and Paul Tonko (D-NY) in their chamber.
“Within 50 miles of the U.S. coast, there is enough offshore wind capacity to power our country four times over,” said Sen. Collins. “Offshore wind projects, such as Aqua Ventus at the University of Maine, have the potential to support more than 2,000 good-paying jobs in our state.”
If enacted, the measure also would direct the U.S. Energy Secretary to award competitive grants to improve land-based and offshore blade, generator, tower, and support designs and transformational technologies for harnessing wind energy, including airborne wind energy generators; increase recycling and reuse of wind-energy components; and reduce the costs of permitting, construction, and operation and maintenance of wind energy systems, among other provisions, according to a bill summary provided by the senator’s office.
Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) applauded Sen. Collins for introducing S. 2660 and for her continued support of advanced clean energy technologies.
“As a CRES Clean Energy Champion, Sen. Collins understands the importance of supporting cleaner, reliable, and more affordable sources of power and we thank her for her leadership on these issues,” said CRES Executive Director Heather Reams.