As the U.S. offshore wind energy industry takes precautions to keep business moving amid the coronavirus outbreak, its annual market report describes how the White House can act now to claim the U.S. share of an emerging $1 trillion global market by 2040 to assist in the economic recovery.

"The health and safety of wind industry workers is paramount. We are concerned about the economic hardship that a long-term shutdown and recession would place on secondary and tertiary U.S. suppliers," said Liz Burdock, CEO of the Business Network for Offshore Wind, in releasing the2020 U.S. Offshore Wind Market Report & Insights. "Offshore wind energy is an unparalleled business opportunity right now. Investment in these vital infrastructure projects can ensure the pipeline to small business suppliers stays open."

"If the Federal Government wants to boost the economy, it doesn't have to look any further than the Department of Interior," added Burdock. "Congress should act today to devote the resources needed for review of construction and operation plans (COPs) as requested in the Administration's 2021 budget. U.S. small businesses will need work immediately following the containment of the coronavirus, and next year may be too late to keep them solvent."

The Business Network publishes this report annually for its members on the state of the U.S. market.  It includes state-by-state capacity procurements, increases in government targets, project timelines, and the latest industry developments. The Business Network also sponsors the International Partnering Forum (IPF), the largest offshore wind event in the Western Hemisphere; this year, IPF Virtual will be held online April 21-22, and the in-person IPF Together conference has been scheduled for August 18-21, 2020 in Providence, Rhode Island.

Business Network for Offshore Wind | https://www.offshorewindus.org