Letter to the Editor: The Trump administration should invest in offshore wind farms

Source: By Paul Rich, Washington Post • Posted: Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Three wind turbines from the Deepwater Wind project off the coast of Block Island, R.I., are seen in August. (Michael Dwyer/Associated Press)
The Dec. 13 news article “Trump fought offshore wind farms. Now the U.S. has its first up and running” highlighted the growing momentum of the U.S. offshore wind industry.Leaders on both sides of the political aisle are calling for boosting U.S. manufacturing and investing in infrastructure. Developing a robust offshore wind-farm industry accomplishes these goals simultaneously. Offshore wind farms will revitalize American steel manufacturing, employ highly skilled American tradespeople and spur much-needed infrastructure investments in American highways, rails and ports.Renewable energy experts, including me, project that building out U.S. offshore wind power will generate hundreds of thousands of skilled construction, manufacturing and operations jobs and that these career jobs will last for generations. Also, a mature offshore wind industry can provide power for more than 4.5 million homes.

The Trump administration would do well to recognize the potential of this industry.

Paul Rich, Washington