(The Center Square) – A new report provides a plan on preparing the North Carolina workforce for jobs in the offshore wind industry and how businesses in the state can benefit.
The North Carolina Task Force for Offshore Wind Economic Resource Strategies, or NC Towers for short, gave its final report to outgoing Gov. Roy Cooper and the General Assembly. NC Towers highlighted proposed legislation that can help the state receive some of the projected $200 billion investment in the offshore wind pipeline.
“North Carolina is uniquely positioned to attract billions of dollars in economic investment and the tens of thousands of family-sustaining jobs from the offshore wind industry,” Cooper said in a statement. “Targeted investments in North Carolina’s ports, supply chain development and workforce training programs will help our state secure our share of the benefits the offshore wind industry is already bringing to East Coast states.”
Among the recommendations in the report is a state appropriation of up to $50 million for improvements to Radio Island at the Port of Morehead City to “facilitate offshore wind economic development opportunities at the site.”
There is a vacant 154-acre site on the island that could be developed as a terminal to support automotive and manufacturing facilities, the report said.
Potential improvement modifications to the pier include a new berthing facility to accommodate larger vessels and new rail spurs for a manufacturing facility and warehouse space.
“North Carolina should grow its tools to encourage new and expanding businesses in the offshore wind industry by identifying and preparing new sites, strengthening critical assets and resources and broadening the supply chain,” the report recommends.
There are 30 offshore wind projects in place or under construction on the East Coast, representing a total investment of more than $200 billion, the state said.
Of all clean energy sectors, consensus opinion is offshore wind is most threatened by President-elect Donald Trump. In fact, he’s vowed to take action on Day 1.
“North Carolina’s central location on the East Coast means we can support the responsible development of offshore wind up and down the entire Eastern Seaboard by supplying parts manufactured in North Carolina, as well as providing maritime support,” the state’s Commerce Secretary, Machelle Baker Sanders, said in a statement. “Targeted investments in North Carolina’s ports, supply chain development and workforce training programs will help our state secure our share of the benefits the offshore wind industry is bringing to East Coast states.”
