WASHINGTON – On Thursday, January 31, Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety, will join the Center for American Progress (CAP) Action Fund for a conversation about the future of offshore wind in the United States. They will also discuss the release of a new report from the Center for American Progress, the Clean Energy States Alliance, the Sierra Club and the U.S. Offshore Wind Collaborative that explores the cost and investment required to establish a commercial-scale offshore wind industry in the United States.

Despite technological advances that have proven that commercially viable wind energy resources are plentiful just off our shores, the United States has yet to construct even a single offshore wind turbine. For years, the lack of a regulatory structure, slanted political opposition and fears that offshore wind energy would prove too expensive have prevented development of this clean, abundant resource. With its "Smart from the Start" program to identify and prioritize lease sales in appropriate regions of federal waters, the Obama administration has taken steps to mitigate the regulatory and political hurdles to harnessing offshore wind power for commercial use. However, there are steps Congress can and must do to help this industry get off the ground– such as provide a long-term extension of the investment tax credit (ITC) for offshore wind. Senator Carper continues to lead the charge in the Senate to ensure tax certainty is available for the first offshore wind movers – ultimately reducing costs for the first offshore wind projects and for consumers.

WHAT:

Sen. Carper to participate in CAP Action event on offshore wind in America

WHO:

Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), featured speaker

Chairman, Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety

Neera Tanden, introductory speaker

President and CEO, Center for American Progress

Tom Perriello, moderator

President and CEO, Center for American Progress Action Fund

WHEN:

9:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Coffee will be served at 9:00 a.m.

WHERE:

Center for American Progress, 1333 H St. NW, 10th Floor, Washington, DC

ON TWITTER:

#CAPAFWind

@SenatorCarper

@CAPcongress

@OceanProgress

@CAPenergypolicy