Offshore Wind Insider

2021 was an incredible year for U.S. offshore wind. The Biden Administration matched the pace of state governments to jumpstart the nascent industry and its supply chain. Join host Brandon Burke, along with the Network's Aybala Sen, Laura Hastings, and Sam Salustro, as they discuss the top offshore wind power news, industry accomplishments, and lessons learned in 2021.   Credits:   Music by Brandon Burke, with contributions from Nathan Ezzo, Steven Reilly, and Miles Taylor.  Content, audio engineering, editing, and sound design by Brandon Burke. 

Technological advances are making ocean mapping and offshore data collection easier, safer, and more accurate. One company at the forefront of this opportunity is Saildrone, who are utilizing their innovative uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) to advance the U.S. offshore wind market. Join Brian Connon, Vice President of Ocean Mapping at Saildrone, and host Brandon Burke as they discuss these innovative technologies.  Credits:   Music by Brandon Burke, with contributions from Nathan Ezzo, Steven Reilly, and Miles Taylor. Production assistance by Alec Gomez.    Content, audio engineering, and sound design by Brandon Burke. 

The Biden Administration's bold, unified approach to kickstarting U.S. offshore wind deployment has created a consistent advancement of projects through the federal permitting process. Guest Matt Palmer, President of Wood Thilsted USA, a veteran of the U.S. offshore wind industry, has been involved since the days of Nantucket Sound. Matt and host Brandon Burke talk about how these actions can create regulatory certainty and enhance investor confidence, all of which will be necessary to meet the 30 GW by 2030 national offshore wind deployment target. Credits:   Editing by Jeff Gasser. Music by Brandon Burke, with contributions from Nathan Ezzo, Steven Reilly, and Miles Taylor. Production assistance by Alec Gomez.    Content, audio engineering, and sound design by Brandon Burke.

Washington State has an extensive maritime history, advanced infrastructure assets including deep-water ports, a strong workforce, a culture of innovation, and experience with large-scale electricity generation. Given these advantages, why aren't we hearing more about offshore wind in Washington? Guests Port of Seattle Commissioner Ryan Calkins, Jennifer States from Washington Maritime Blue, and Brian Young from the Washington State Department of Commerce join host Brandon Burke to consider that question, including how these advantages can be leveraged to drive the U.S. offshore wind market forward. Credits:   Editing by Jeff Gasser. Music by Brandon Burke, with contributions from Nathan Ezzo, Steven Reilly, and Miles Taylor. Production assistance by Alec Gomez.    Content, audio engineering, and sound design by Brandon Burke. 

Supply chains across the world are being impacted by the effects of COVID-19. Manufacturing and production lines across America, including for offshore wind, have experienced backlogs. LS Cable USA's Project Director, Bill Wall, who has more than 40 years of worldwide offshore marine construction and development experience, joins host Brandon Burke to discuss the critical role submarine cables play in the fast developing U.S. offshore wind industry. They touch on submarine cable management and storage considerations, potential supply chain bottlenecks, and Bill hints at some investments that LS Cable USA may be making. Credits:   Editing by Jeff Gasser. Music by Brandon Burke, with contributions from Nathan Ezzo, Steven Reilly, and Miles Taylor. Production assistance by Alec Gomez.    Content, audio engineering, and sound design by Brandon Burke. 

The United Brotherhood of Carpenters' David Borrus weighs in on the intensifying workforce demands of the U.S. offshore wind industry and the key role organized labor can play to meet these growing needs. New projects over the coming years will demand more workers – requiring both older generation knowledge and skills as well as an influx of new workers. Host Brandon Burke and David discuss insights on job creation associated with the Vineyard Wind project, entering construction in fall 2021. They also delve into how the U.S. offshore wind industry is driving new career opportunities for more diverse workforce. Credits:    Editing by Jeff Gasser. Music by Brandon Burke, with contributions from Nathan Ezzo, Steven Reilly, and Miles Taylor. Production assistance by Alec Gomez.   Content, audio engineering, and sound design by Brandon Burke.

The U.S. is poised to emerge as a leader in the floating offshore wind space. In late May, the Biden Administration continued its efforts to jumpstart the U.S. offshore wind industry by advancing offshore wind areas off of Northern and Central California. Off the West Coast, and in several other regions around the U.S., significant water depths will require deployment of floating offshore wind turbines. Siemens Gamesa's Abby Watson, Mainstream Renewable Power's Paula Major, and Principle Power's Amisha Patel – three influential women in floating offshore wind – join host Brandon Burke to discuss this massive opportunity for U.S. clean energy leadership and innovation. They'll address permitting floating offshore wind platforms, intersections with hydrogen and offshore oil and gas, export opportunities, and the factors necessary to long-term success in this cutting-edge clean energy industry.  Credits:   Content, audio engineering, editing, and sound design by Brandon Burke.  Music by Brandon Burke, with contributions from Nathan Ezzo, Steven Reilly, and Miles Taylor. 

California, the world's fifth largest economy, has some of the best offshore wind resources in U.S. waters. The state's ambitious climate legislation, SB-100, calls for 100 percent clean, carbon-free electricity by 2045. To-date, solar has driven significant changes in California's energy mix but on its own cannot ensure the state's clean energy goals. Right now there is an incredible opportunity for floating offshore wind to contribute to California's clean energy mix. California State Assemblymember David Chiu joins host Brandon Burke to discuss California's AB-525 offshore wind legislation and the opportunities it will provide the energy-hungry state. Credits:  Content, audio engineering, editing, and sound design by Brandon Burke.   Music by Brandon Burke with contributions from Nathan Ezzo, Steven Reilly, and Miles Taylor.

The Biden Administration has made clear that offshore wind is an important part of America's growing renewable energy portfolio. Amanda Lefton, new Director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, joins host Brandon Burke to discuss the Biden Administration's focus on offshore wind, the recent release of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Vineyard Wind project, and how BOEM is addressing permitting for floating offshore wind projects in federal waters. The episode also includes a "lightning round" of regional updates on offshore wind around the United States.  Credits:  Content, audio engineering, editing, and sound design by Brandon Burke.   Music by Brandon Burke with contributions from Nathan Ezzo, Steven Reilly, and Miles Taylor.

Join host Brandon Burke and guests Nse Esema (NYC EDC), Teaera Strum (Strum Contracting), and Damian Bednarz (EnBW North America) as they discuss the intersections between offshore wind and diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice, through the lens of New York City's South Brooklyn Marine Terminal and Sunset Park community. This episode also touches on what MWBEs and small businesses can do to position themselves as "opportunity ready" to participate in the supply chains of U.S. offshore wind projects. The Group also unpacks how the federal government places environmental justice at the core of climate policy decisions and what that means for offshore wind energy development. Credits: Content, audio engineering, editing, and sound design by Brandon Burke. Music by Brandon Burke, with contributions from Nathan Ezzo, Steven Reilly, and Miles Taylor. Recorded February 22, 2021. Published February 24, 2021.