Great Lakes Wind Collaborative Offshore Wind Work Group

The SLSDC Office of Trade Development participated in a one-day offshore wind work group meeting of the Great Lakes Wind Collaborative (GLWC) in Ann Arbor, Mich., on October 8. The GLWC is a coalition of wind energy stakeholders working to facilitate the sustainable development of wind power in the binational Great Lakes region. Led by the Great Lakes Commission, the offshore working group seeks to identify and address issues affecting the planning, development, and operation of offshore wind power facilities in the Lakes.

This meeting focused on four major topics. The morning sessions focused on permitting/siting issues and the requirement of environmental impact statements. Two breakout groups addressed regulation of submerged land leases and public trust responsibilities as well as R&D issues such as data collection, and scientific and technological research. The afternoon sessions dealt with federal and state regulation of wind turbine sites and public outreach and perception.

Tim Downey, SLSDC International Trade Specialist, reported that a survey of port/terminal infrastructure capable of handing windmill components is being prepared for distribution. The Collaborative anticipates it will be sent to U.S. and Canadian ports in the coming weeks, and when completed and collated will provide companies with vital information that can be accessed quickly in a single location.