Oceantic Network provided an introductory offshore wind industry course to staff from 13 federal permitting agencies, including BOEM, EPA, U.S. Coast Guard, and more in partnership with FPISC
For Immediate Release: January 24, 2022
Media Contact: Melinda Skea
BALTIMORE – More than 300 staff members from 13 federal permitting agencies joined the Oceantic Network late last week for an offshore wind industry education session. The one-day session, hosted by the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council, included staff representing the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Army Core of Engineers, National Marine Fisheries Service, and U.S. Coast Guard. The forum provided a platform for federal workers involved in reviewing and permitting offshore wind projects to learn more about the growing industry.
“Offshore wind power is an important part of the clean energy portfolio in the Biden Administration,” says Christine Harada, executive director of the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council. “As a new energy resource in the U.S., it is important that we lay a solid foundation for its implementation – and that includes education of relevant staff on important industry and supply chain attributes. The Network’s Offshore Wind 101 Industry Day education session allowed key personnel the opportunity to learn firsthand the project life cycle of a wind farm as well as understand how businesses across the U.S. can fit into the industry.”
Federal staff joined the Oceantic Network and offshore wind industry leaders for the Offshore Wind 101 Industry Day, an educational session comprised of the Network’s Foundation 2 Blade training modules. Industry leaders presented on the foundational aspects of the offshore wind business, including the roles and responsibilities of players within the supply chain; how the structure and characteristics of the U.S. supply chain can affect parameters of a project’s design envelope; and the types of companies within the supply chain that can affect the shape and timing of offshore wind project deployment.
“The Network is committed to growing the offshore wind industry and its supply chain in the U.S. Information sharing and knowledge building is a critical component to ensure the success of this new industry,” says Liz Burdock, president & CEO of Oceantic Network. “We’ve partnered with the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council to deliver content from our Foundation 2 Blade training program to help staff who have federal permitting responsibilities gain a deeper understanding of the intricacies of offshore wind project development. We hope by providing in depth information staff can better understand the interplay between their work and the development path for any given project.”
Oceantic Network offers three levels of education and training programs that help businesses enter the offshore wind market. Whether a company is curious about what offshore wind can offer or they are ready to become part of the supply chain, the Network’s programs guide business development and help companies plan their next steps. The education and training programs address supply chain structure and project timelines, give an overview of business opportunities during each phase of a project life cycle, and more.
Starting in spring 2022, Oceantic Network will offer expanded industry trainings, including a weekly Offshore Wind 101 webinar, a monthly Offshore Wind Ready educational program, and Foundation 2 Blade trainings for local, state, and federal agencies, as well as businesses interested in entering the offshore wind industry. For more information visit Oceantic.org.
Oceantic Network is the largest non-profit organization dedicated solely to building a robust offshore wind supply chain and expanding adoption of offshore wind energy. It advances the industry through collaboration, education, and innovation, including the International Partnering Forum (IPF), the leading offshore wind conference in North America, and the OSW Market Dashboard. Learn more at Oceantic.org.
