A Conversation About Offshore Wind in North Carolina: What Might It
Mean For Our Coastal Resources and Economies?
This is a re-schedule of October's Monthly Mingle which was cancelled due to transportation issues!
Since 2009 with the results of the UNC System’s coastal wind
feasibility study, which was commissioned by the General Assembly, North Carolina
has contemplated the development of its wind energy resources and how to do it in
a way that is compatible with our coastal economies and resources. This has
lead to a flurry of both excitement for renewable energy and concerns over how
it might impact an economy that relies greatly on tourism.
Given that North
Carolina’s coastal resources and economies are inextricably linked,
coastal residents are facing a dilemma. Since 2011, the State of North Carolina
and the federal government have been working together to identify potential
wind energy areas that are compatible with our coastal management and economic
interests, as well as with our military interests. In 2013, the U.S. Bureau of
Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced three potential wind energy areas off
North Carolina, one being located off Kitty Hawk.
In
early 2015, BOEM held a series of public
meetings to jump start the discussion on potential for wind energy lease
areas
in federal waters off North Carolina. These meetings encouraged coastal
residents (1) to consider how North Carolina can become a partner in the
development of
domestic, clean energy; but (2) to also consider the potential changes
offshore
wind may have on wildlife and our scenic view sheds, which are the bread
and butter
of the economies of many of our beach towns.
Lisa Schiavinato, co-director of the NC Coastal
Resources Law, Planning, and Policy Center and law and policy specialist for NC
Sea Grant, will host a discussion on what offshore wind development may mean for
North Carolina and share how the experiences of other coastal states have
shaped energy discussion in the United States.
Join us on Wednesday, 1/13 for a lively discussion and learning experience. Please
RSVP by responding to this message or by sending an email to obxgreendrinks@gmail.com so we know how many people will be joining us.
When: Wednesday, January 13, 2016
7:00 pm - network, order food, sip beverages, etc.
7:30 pm - "A Conversation about Offshore Wind in NC:
What Might It Mean for Our Coastal
Resources and Economies?"
NC Sea Grant
Where: Waverider's Coffee and Deli on the bypass3022 S. Croatan Highway, Nags Head
MP 11 1/4, Pirate's Quay Shopping Center
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