Delivering Offshore Wind On and Off the Coast

Abstract: 

The Biden-Harris Administration’s goal of reaching 30 GW of offshore wind by 2030 has created much-needed certainty to further invest in the US market while expanding the number of new entrants that will foster further competition. As certainty at the federal and state levels increase, so too does the need to engage communities both on and off the coast for successful offshore wind development. Unlocking a generational opportunity to revitalize our communities, forge new industry and build an inclusive clean energy economy starts with activating collective communications and commitments between a diverse breadth of stakeholders. With a federal lease auction on the horizon for the New York Bight, the second wave of offshore wind projects in the US are positioned to go beyond listening to stakeholders and take meaningful steps forward to create actionable partnerships that realize the full potential of economic and climate opportunities.

Bio: 

Damian Bednarz leads EnBW's US team and is responsible for managing day-to-day operations and resources of EnBW North America to implement its business and project development strategies across multiple markets. Damian also serves as EnBW North America’s primary external representative on all public affairs, which includes community engagement, strategic communications and government affairs.

 

After a decade in clean energy advocacy, Damian joined EnBW as it set out to build clean energy entities from the ground up across the US, especially the once in a generation opportunity that comes from offshore wind. Prior to joining EnBW, Damian managed a diverse clean energy and climate portfolio at Kivvit, a nationally ranked public affairs and strategic communications firm. Damian also served in several senior leadership roles in the Obama-Biden Administration at the US Department of Energy, including chief of staff for the Office of International Affairs and White House Liaison. Damian was a Fulbright scholar in Warsaw, Poland, where he researched Polish political parties. He holds an M.A. in diplomacy and international relations from Seton Hall University and a B.A. in political science from Marist College. W

Date: 
Thursday, October 7, 2021 - 4:00pm
Location: 
Virtually ZOOM
Year: 
2021
Semester: