CLIMATE POWER STATEMENT ON DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR’S OFFSHORE LEASE SALE IN NORTH CAROLINA

Washington, D.C. – In response to the Department of the Interior’s announcement on building a major offshore wind facility off of Carolina Long Bay that will create hundreds of jobs and move North Carolina toward a clean energy future, Climate Power Executive Director Lori Lodes issued the following statement:

“As people in North Carolina and across the country are spending increasingly large chunks of their earnings at the gas pump and on their energy bills, the need to transition to a clean energy future is more important than ever. Today’s announcement is a critical step toward breaking ties with foreign oil and gas that is driving the climate crisis.

“North Carolina has long been a leader in clean energy, setting ambitious climate goals and leading innovative research that is being deployed throughout the country and around the world.  This investment from the Biden administration will build upon this rich legacy by putting North Carolina workers at the forefront of the clean energy revolution and showing the entire nation the economic and environmental benefits of offshore wind power. Together with Governor Cooper’s continued leadership on clean energy, investments like this one from the Biden administration will not only bring our country closer to real energy independence — they’ll save working people money by freeing them from volatile and costly fossil fuel dependence and strengthen our national security.”