Renewable Energy Projects on the East Coast of the United States

Renewable energy is a critical component of the transition to a clean, sustainable, and resilient energy system, and the East Coast of the United States is at the forefront of this transition. From the offshore wind farms of the Northeast to the solar arrays of the Southeast, the East Coast is home to a growing number of renewable energy projects that are transforming the region's energy landscape and providing clean, reliable, and affordable power to millions of homes and businesses.

Renewable energy projects on the East Coast are not only important for their environmental benefits, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, but also for their economic and social benefits, such as creating jobs, stimulating innovation, and improving energy security and resilience. As the costs of renewable energy technologies continue to decline and the demand for clean energy continues to grow, the East Coast is poised to play a leading role in the renewable energy revolution.

Key Renewable Energy Technologies on the East Coast

The East Coast of the United States is home to a diverse array of renewable energy resources and technologies, each with its unique characteristics, benefits, and challenges. Here are some of the most important and rapidly growing renewable energy technologies on the East Coast:

Offshore Wind

Offshore wind is one of the most promising and rapidly growing renewable energy technologies on the East Coast, with the potential to provide a significant portion of the region's electricity needs. The East Coast has some of the best offshore wind resources in the world, with strong, consistent winds and shallow waters that are ideal for wind turbine installation.

Offshore wind projects on the East Coast are being developed by a range of companies and consortia, including Ørsted, Equinor, Avangrid, and others. These projects typically involve the installation of large wind turbines, often over 500 feet tall, in designated offshore wind energy areas. The turbines are connected to the onshore grid through undersea cables, and the electricity is distributed to homes and businesses throughout the region.

Some of the most significant offshore wind projects on the East Coast include:

Vineyard Wind - an 800 MW project off the coast of Massachusetts that is expected to be the first commercial-scale offshore wind farm in the United States
Ocean Wind - a 1,100 MW project off the coast of New Jersey that is being developed by Ørsted and PSEG
Empire Wind - a 2,400 MW project off the coast of New York that is being developed by Equinor and BP
Dominion Energy - a 2,600 MW project off the coast of Virginia that is being developed by Dominion Energy

These and other offshore wind projects on the East Coast are expected to create thousands of jobs, attract billions of dollars in investment, and provide clean, renewable energy to millions of homes and businesses in the region. However, offshore wind development also faces challenges, such as high upfront costs, long permitting and construction timelines, and potential impacts on marine ecosystems and coastal communities.

Solar Energy

Solar energy is another rapidly growing renewable energy technology on the East Coast, with the potential to provide a significant portion of the region's electricity needs. The East Coast has abundant solar resources, particularly in the southern states, and the costs of solar panels and other components have fallen dramatically in recent years, making solar energy increasingly cost-competitive with fossil fuels.

Solar energy projects on the East Coast range from small rooftop installations on homes and businesses to large utility-scale solar farms covering hundreds or thousands of acres. These projects are being developed by a range of companies and organizations, including utilities, solar developers, and community solar providers.

Some of the most significant solar energy projects on the East Coast include:

Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) reports that the East Coast states have a combined solar capacity of over 14 gigawatts (GW), with the top states being North Carolina (4.4 GW), Florida (3.9 GW), and Massachusetts (2.6 GW).
The largest solar farm on the East Coast is the 1,000 MW Spotsylvania Solar Energy Center in Virginia, which is being developed by sPower and is expected to be completed in 2021.
Other large solar projects on the East Coast include the 400 MW Columbus Solar Farm in Georgia, the 350 MW Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project in Nevada, and the 300 MW Mount Signal Solar Farm in California.

In addition to utility-scale solar projects, the East Coast is also home to a growing number of community solar projects, which allow multiple customers to subscribe to a portion of a solar array and receive credits on their electricity bills. Community solar projects can provide access to solar energy for renters, low-income households, and other customers who may not be able to install their solar panels.

Onshore Wind

Onshore wind is a mature and cost-effective renewable energy technology that has been deployed on the East Coast for decades. The East Coast has significant onshore wind resources, particularly in the mountain regions of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states, and the costs of onshore wind turbines have fallen significantly in recent years, making onshore wind energy increasingly competitive with fossil fuels.

Onshore wind projects on the East Coast range from small single-turbine installations to large wind farms with hundreds of turbines. These projects are being developed by a range of companies and organizations, including utilities, wind developers, and community wind providers.

Some of the most significant onshore wind projects on the East Coast include:

The 1,020 MW Shepherds Flat Wind Farm in Oregon, is the largest onshore wind farm in the United States and is owned by Caithness Energy.
The 845 MW Roscoe Wind Farm in Texas, which is owned by E.ON Climate & Renewables is one of the largest onshore wind farms in the world.
The 800 MW Alta Wind Energy Center in California, is owned by Terra-Gen Power and is one of the largest onshore wind farms in the United States.

In addition to these large-scale projects, the East Coast is also home to a growing number of community wind projects, which are owned and operated by local communities and provide benefits such as jobs, economic development, and local energy resilience.

Hydroelectric Power

Hydroelectric power is a well-established renewable energy technology that has been used on the East Coast for over a century. The East Coast has significant hydroelectric resources, particularly in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states, and hydroelectric power provides a reliable and flexible source of clean energy that can help to balance the intermittency of other renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.

Hydroelectric power projects on the East Coast range from small run-of-river installations to large dams and reservoirs. These projects are owned and operated by a range of entities, including utilities, independent power producers, and government agencies.

Some of the most significant hydroelectric power projects on the East Coast include:

The 2,755 MW Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant in New York, is the largest hydroelectric power plant in the Eastern United States and is owned by the New York Power Authority.
The 2,078 MW Hoover Dam on the Colorado River, is one of the largest hydroelectric power plants in the United States and is owned by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
The 912 MW Rocky Reach Dam on the Columbia River in Washington, is owned by the Chelan County Public Utility District and is one of the largest hydroelectric power plants in the Pacific Northwest.

While hydroelectric power is a clean and renewable source of energy, it can also have significant environmental and social impacts, such as altering river ecosystems, displacing communities, and affecting fish populations. As a result, the development of new large-scale hydroelectric projects on the East Coast has slowed in recent decades, and there is growing interest in small-scale and low-impact hydroelectric technologies that can provide clean energy with minimal environmental and social impacts.

Key Renewable Energy Policies and Initiatives on the East Coast

The growth of renewable energy on the East Coast is being driven not only by technological advances and cost reductions, but also by a range of policies and initiatives at the federal, state, and local levels. Here are some of the most significant renewable energy policies and initiatives on the East Coast:

Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS)

Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) are state-level policies that require a certain percentage of a state's electricity to come from renewable energy sources by a specific date. RPS policies have been a major driver of renewable energy development on the East Coast, with many states setting ambitious targets for renewable energy adoption.

Some of the most significant RPS policies on the East Coast include:

New York's Clean Energy Standard, requires 70% of the state's electricity to come from renewable sources by 2030 and 100% by 2040.
New Jersey's Clean Energy Act, requires 50% of the state's electricity to come from renewable sources by 2030 and 100% by 2050.
Massachusetts' Clean Energy Standard, requires 80% of the state's electricity to come from clean energy sources by 2050.
California's Renewables Portfolio Standard requires 60% of the state's electricity to come from renewable sources by 2030 and 100% by 2045.

These and other RPS policies are creating strong market demand for renewable energy projects on the East Coast and are helping to drive down the costs of renewable energy technologies.

Offshore Wind Development Policies

In addition to RPS policies, many East Coast states have also adopted specific policies and initiatives to support the development of offshore wind energy. These policies are designed to create a favorable regulatory and economic environment for offshore wind development and to help states meet their renewable energy and climate goals.

Some of the most significant offshore wind development policies on the East Coast include:

Massachusetts' Offshore Wind Energy Act, requires the state's electric utilities to procure 1,600 MW of offshore wind energy by 2027.
New Jersey's Offshore Wind Economic Development Act, requires the state to develop 7,500 MW of offshore wind energy by 2035.
New York's Offshore Wind Master Plan, calls for the development of 9,000 MW of offshore wind energy by 2035.
Virginia's Clean Economy Act requires the state to develop 5,200 MW of offshore wind energy by 2034.

These and other offshore wind development policies are helping to create a pipeline of offshore wind projects on the East Coast and are attracting significant investment and job creation to the region.

Federal Tax Credits and Incentives

Federal tax credits and incentives have also played a significant role in driving the growth of renewable energy on the East Coast and throughout the United States. These policies provide financial support for renewable energy projects and help to make them more cost-competitive with fossil fuels.

Some of the most significant federal tax credits and incentives for renewable energy include:

The Investment Tax Credit (ITC), provides a tax credit of 26% for solar energy projects and 18% for other renewable energy technologies such as fuel cells and small wind turbines.
The Production Tax Credit (PTC), provides a tax credit of 1.5 cents per kilowatt-hour for wind energy projects and 0.9 cents per kilowatt-hour for other renewable energy technologies such as geothermal and closed-loop biomass.
The Renewable Electricity Production Tax Credit (PTC), provides a tax credit of 2.5 cents per kilowatt-hour for wind, solar, and other renewable energy projects that began construction before the end of 2020.

These and other federal tax credits and incentives have helped to create a stable and predictable market for renewable energy projects on the East Coast and have attracted significant investment and job creation to the region.

Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is a regional cap-and-trade program that limits greenhouse gas emissions from power plants in ten Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. The program requires power plants to purchase allowances for each ton of carbon dioxide they emit and invests the proceeds from these allowances in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and other climate mitigation and adaptation programs.

RGGI has been a significant driver of renewable energy development on the East Coast, with participating states investing over $3 billion in clean energy programs since the program's inception in 2009. These investments have helped to create jobs, reduce energy costs, and improve public health and environmental quality in the region.

RGGI is currently undergoing a program review and may be expanded to include additional states and sectors in the coming years. The success of RGGI has also inspired other regional and national carbon pricing initiatives, such as the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) and the proposed federal Clean Energy Standard.

Challenges and Opportunities for Renewable Energy on the East Coast

Despite the significant progress that has been made in deploying renewable energy on the East Coast, there are still several challenges and barriers that need to be addressed to fully realize the potential of clean energy in the region. Here are some of the key challenges and opportunities for renewable energy on the East Coast:

Transmission and Grid Integration

One of the biggest challenges for renewable energy on the East Coast is the need for new and upgraded transmission infrastructure to connect renewable energy projects to the grid and to ensure reliable and efficient power delivery. Many of the best renewable energy resources on the East Coast, such as offshore wind and solar, are located far from population centers and require significant investments in transmission lines and substations.

In addition, the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar can create challenges for grid operators who need to balance supply and demand in real-time. This requires the development of new grid management technologies and practices, such as energy storage, demand response, and advanced forecasting and control systems.

To address these challenges, several East Coast states and regional organizations are working to develop new transmission projects and grid modernization initiatives. For example, the New England states are collaborating on the development of a regional transmission system that would enable the integration of large-scale renewable energy projects, such as offshore wind. Similarly, the PJM Interconnection, which operates the grid in 13 states and the District of Columbia, is developing new market rules and planning processes to facilitate the integration of renewable energy and energy storage.

Permitting and Siting

Another challenge for renewable energy on the East Coast is the complex and time-consuming permitting and siting process for new projects. Renewable energy projects often require multiple federal, state, and local permits and approvals, which can take years to obtain and can be subject to legal challenges and public opposition.

In addition, many renewable energy projects on the East Coast are located in environmentally sensitive areas, such as coastal zones, wildlife habitats, and scenic landscapes, which can create conflicts with other land uses and stakeholder interests. This requires careful planning and stakeholder engagement to minimize impacts and to build public support for renewable energy development.

To address these challenges, several East Coast states and federal agencies are working to streamline and coordinate the permitting and siting process for renewable energy projects. For example, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has established a regional offshore wind permitting process that aims to reduce duplication and delays in the federal approval process. Similarly, several states have established one-stop-shop permitting programs and regional planning initiatives to facilitate the development of renewable energy projects.

Workforce Development

A third challenge for renewable energy on the East Coast is the need for a skilled and diverse workforce to design, build, and operate clean energy projects. The renewable energy industry is creating thousands of new jobs in the region, but there is a shortage of workers with the necessary skills and experience to fill these positions.

To address this challenge, several East Coast states and organizations are investing in workforce development and training programs to prepare workers for careers in the renewable energy industry. For example, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has established a Clean Energy Workforce Development Initiative that provides funding and support for training programs in solar, wind, and energy efficiency. Similarly, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) has established a Workforce Development Program that provides grants and technical assistance to organizations that are developing clean energy training programs.

Environmental and Social Justice

A fourth challenge for renewable energy on the East Coast is the need to ensure that the benefits of clean energy are shared equitably and that the impacts of renewable energy development do not disproportionately burden disadvantaged communities. Historically, low-income and minority communities have borne a disproportionate share of the environmental and health impacts of fossil fuel energy production and have had limited access to the economic benefits of clean energy development.

To address this challenge, several East Coast states and organizations are working to integrate environmental and social justice considerations into their renewable energy policies and programs. For example, the New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance has developed a set of principles for equitable and just renewable energy development that prioritizes community engagement, local ownership, and workforce development. Similarly, the Maryland Commission on Climate Change has established a Climate Justice Workgroup that is developing recommendations for integrating equity and justice into the state's climate and energy policies.

Resilience and Adaptation

A fifth challenge for renewable energy on the East Coast is the need to ensure that clean energy infrastructure is resilient to the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events. The East Coast is particularly vulnerable to sea level rise, coastal flooding, and hurricanes, which can damage or destroy renewable energy projects and disrupt power supply.

To address this challenge, several East Coast states and organizations are working to integrate resilience and adaptation considerations into their renewable energy planning and design processes. For example, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has established a Resilient Solar Roadmap that provides guidance and best practices for designing and building solar projects that can withstand extreme weather events. Similarly, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources has established a Resilient MA Action Team that is working to incorporate climate resilience into the state's clean energy programs and policies.

Opportunities for Innovation and Collaboration

Despite these challenges, there are also significant opportunities for innovation and collaboration in the renewable energy sector on the East Coast. The region is home to a strong research and development ecosystem, with world-class universities, national laboratories, and private companies working on cutting-edge clean energy technologies and solutions.

In addition, the East Coast is home to a growing number of clean energy business incubators, accelerators, and investment funds that are supporting the development and commercialization of new renewable energy technologies and business models. For example, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has established a Clean Energy Business Incubator Program that provides funding and support for early-stage clean energy companies. Similarly, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) has established a Catalyst Program that provides grants and technical assistance to clean energy startups and entrepreneurs.

The East Coast is also home to several regional and multi-state initiatives that are promoting collaboration and coordination in the renewable energy sector. For example, the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states are collaborating on the development of a regional offshore wind industry through the Northeast Wind Resource Center and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean. Similarly, the New England states are collaborating on the development of a regional clean energy economy through the New England Clean Energy Council and the New England Women in Energy and the Environment.

Conclusion

The growth of renewable energy on the East Coast is being driven by a combination of technological advances, policy support, and market demand. Key renewable energy technologies on the East Coast include offshore wind, solar, onshore wind, and hydroelectric power, each of which has significant potential for growth and development in the region.

To support the development of these technologies, East Coast states and the federal government have adopted a range of policies and initiatives, including renewable portfolio standards, offshore wind development policies, tax credits and incentives, and regional greenhouse gas reduction programs. These policies are creating a favorable regulatory and economic environment for renewable energy projects and are attracting significant investment and job creation to the region.

However, the East Coast also faces several challenges and barriers to the full realization of its renewable energy potential, including the need for new and upgraded transmission infrastructure, complex permitting and siting processes, workforce development, environmental and social justice considerations, and resilience to the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events.

Despite these challenges, there are also significant opportunities for innovation and collaboration in the renewable energy sector on the East Coast. The region is home to a strong research and development ecosystem, a growing number of clean energy business incubators and investment funds, and several regional and multi-state initiatives that are promoting collaboration and coordination in the renewable energy sector.

To fully realize the potential of renewable energy on the East Coast, it will be necessary to continue to invest in research and development, support the growth of clean energy businesses and entrepreneurs, and engage stakeholders and communities in the planning and development of renewable energy projects. It will also be necessary to address the challenges and barriers to renewable energy development, including transmission and grid integration, permitting and siting, workforce development, environmental and social justice, and resilience and adaptation.

By working together to address these challenges and seize these opportunities, the East Coast can build a clean, sustainable, and resilient energy system that provides economic, environmental, and social benefits for generations to come. The region has the resources, expertise, and political will to be a leader in the renewable energy revolution, and with continued investment and collaboration, the East Coast can help to create a more just, prosperous, and sustainable future for all.