The offshore-wind industry has the potential to create jobs, boost the economy and become a reliable source of renewable energy, according to a study by the NC Governor’s Scientific Advisory Panel on Offshore Energy. The panel found that North Carolina has the largest offshore wind resource on the East Coast, according to a news release. “North Carolina’s extensive coastline and large offshore wind resources appear to make it a prime area for offshore wind development,” the panel says. The report, which was released Wednesday, says North Carolina should continue to promote opportunities for offshore-wind development with the appropriate statutes, rules and regulations that “foster and encourage appropriate offshore-wind development consistent with concerns for the coastal environment and communities.”

The report said the state needed to “engage with the industry to attract to North Carolina a wide range of supply-chain facilities and jobs associated with the emerging wind-energy industry.” Research and development on other forms of ocean renewable energy, such as thermal and hydrokinetic technologies is ongoing and appears promising, although these technologies are not yet ready for widespread commercial development. North Carolina is poised to be a leader in the research and development of these potential energy resources. This is due to the state’s unique geographic position between two major ocean currents which meet off Cape Hatteras combined with our strong foundation in energy research and technology innovations.

The panel recommended the state create a program of research and data collection to ensure there is adequate information to evaluate the impacts of offshore energy exploration and energy development. It also suggested North Carolina should engage in comprehensive ocean and coastal resource management to ensure the sustainable and best use of ocean and coastal resources. The panel’s findings and recommendations stress that development of any offshore energy resources carries risks and benefits. “Exploration and development of offshore energy resources – oil and natural gas, wind and hydrokinetic technologies and thermal – pose environmental and economic benefits,” the panel said in its findings. “The development of any sources of offshore energy, whether renewable or fossil fuel, will likely have some socioeconomic and environmental impacts. … and challenges related to infrastructure development, including transmission.”

Gov. Bev Perdue issued Executive Order 23 in September 2009 creating the Scientific Advisory Panel on Offshore Energy. The 15-member panel was led by former N.C. Supreme Court Justice Willis Whichard. The diverse and knowledgeable scientific panel, with representatives from the energy industry, scientific experts and environmental advocates, developed consensus findings and recommendations in the 146-page report. “I am most grateful to Justice Whichard and all the members of the panel for sharing the expertise and their hard work, dedication and concern for our state and its precious coast,” Gov. Perdue said.

“This panel’s work is an essential step in assessing the impact of offshore-energy development in North Carolina,” the panel said in its findings. “But taking the next steps to develop offshore energy will require a united effort to assess the impacts on North Carolina’s economy, communities and natural resources, to promote economic development of offshore energy that boosts North Carolina’s economy and to establish North Carolina as a leader in offshore-energy development.”

To read the complete report, click here.