Washington, D.C. – Today, the Department of the Interior held an offshore wind energy lease sale in the Central Atlantic that could generate enough clean energy to power 2.2 million homes (6.3 gigawatts). Today’s auction in the wind energy areas (WEAs), located off the coasts of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia drew 6 competitive bids for the leases, with the two bids awarded totaling nearly $93 million. The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and our Virginia and Maryland state partners offered praise for the sale and continued leadership from the Biden-Harris Administration:

“Secretary Haaland and the Biden-Harris Administration continue to deliver on their promise to bring more affordable clean energy to the public,” said David Shadburn, LCV Senior Government Affairs Advocate. “Offshore wind is a vital piece of the puzzle to reach our national climate and environmental justice goals. With sales like today, it is clear there is strong support to continue building new offshore wind projects and the jobs and economic development they’ll bring to our shores.”

“Today’s auction off Virginia’s coast is good news for clean energy here in the Commonwealth,” said Lee Francis, Deputy Director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters.

“With the largest wind farm already under construction here, creating hundreds of good-paying jobs and economic investment in Coastal Virginia, additional offshore wind generation will help us meet our long-term goals to achieve 100% clean energy and continue bringing good-paying jobs and investment to our state as we work to become an East Coast hub for the offshore wind industry.”

“Maryland’s offshore wind potential is closer to becoming a reality with today’s auction,” said Kim Coble, Executive Director of Maryland League of Conservation Voters. “This source of clean, renewable energy will be a key part of Maryland’s efforts to reduce our carbon emissions, create local jobs that invest in families across the state, and improve our energy security. It’s a major step forward in our state’s commitment to meet Maryland’s ambitious clean energy targets and our commitment to addressing environmental justice. With continued partnership with federal agencies, exemplified through Maryland’s recent MOU with BOEM, we have the opportunity to invest in clean energy and clean air along our coast.”

Earlier this year, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland unveiled a five year offshore wind leasing plan with the potential for several lease sales in new areas along the coasts. Today’s lease sale was the fifth to be held during the Biden-Harris administration, and follows the approval of the first nine commercial scale offshore wind projects, which could power nearly 5 million homes with 13 gigawatts of reliable clean energy.