We recently came across a couple of intriguing articles worth passing along. Both share a common theme – the American energy markets face major challenges from competitors who seek to take the lead in renewable energy, including wind power. Some countries already have. Projects like Outer Banks Ocean Energy Corporation’s (OBOE) Offshore Wind Farm can help the U.S. energy industry to position itself as a world leader, but several critical elements are needed to aid the effort. Our offshore wind project can flourish if given the proper commitment from government.

An Aug. 3 Forbes special report discusses perhaps the biggest obstacle standing in the way of renewable energy: funding. As the article notes, limited financing has slowed U.S. wind growth from 8,300 megawatts in 2008 to a projected 4,000 to 6,000 megawatts this year. Tax relief has dissipated. The cost associated with technology and infrastructure has proven overwhelming for many.

This should not be the case. Despite troubled economic times, renewable energy should be considered an investment in our future. The offshore wind farm that OBOE plans to place off North Carolina’s coast will help our state meet its energy needs while providing a clean source of power that advances the nation’s progress towards energy independence and good climate stewardship.

As Ed Lowe, general manager for renewables market development at General Electric, says in the Forbes article, “What’s really been the driver… for wind has been effective policy.” An Aug. 3 column by GE chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt and John Doerr, partner at venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers in the Washington Post similarly suggests that policy shifts will be needed to overcome increased competition in green technology. They recommend that the United States demonstrate more clearly that it values clean energy through policy reform. Otherwise, the authors note, we will continue to lag behind China and other countries who are making great strides in their renewable energy efforts.

What both pieces ultimately speak to is the need for an institutional about-face on things like wind power. The team at OBOE is excited about diving into offshore wind off the coast of North Carolina, but to be successful, we will need support and commitment from all sectors, including the government. It is a new day for wind energy in our state, and with the right support in place, OBOE’s Offshore Wind Farm can provide a great benefit to North Carolinians.

Of the many factors motivating Outer Banks Ocean Energy Corporation (OBOE) and its plans to develop an offshore wind farm, perhaps none is as refreshing to us as North Carolina’s enthusiasm about clean energy. Our state has demonstrated openness to alternative sources of energy that bring power to residents and businesses, while limiting our environmental footprint. As OBOE’s first renewable energy project, an offshore wind farm in North Carolina will continue this trend.

Most recently, the city of Raleigh and Progress Energy agreed to construct a 10-acre solar power farm on city property, according to a recent Raleigh Telegram article. Plans call for a 1.3-megawatt solar photovoltaic (PV) array to be developed by Progress, Southern Energy of Morrisville and NxGen Power of Charlotte. The article notes that the project will be the first utility-scale solar farm located on municipal property in the state.

Progress Energy also is developing a project that will construct small wind turbines, called “microturbines,” on select rooftops within the state, per a recent article in Triangle Business Journal. The article notes that the city of Raleigh has confirmed that it is researching how to implement microturbines throughout the city.

The state has several support organizations available to ensure that the trend toward clean energy continues to grow. Groups such as NC GreenPower and the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association provide excellent resources to clean energy startups looking to improve the way we power the state. Specific to wind power, the North Carolina Wind Energy program of the Appalachian State University Energy Center provides valuable research and support.

With the federal government’s charge to supply 20 percent of the nation’s electricity through clean energy by 2030, North Carolinians should expect projects like these to grow in rank. Our offshore wind farm will contribute to the state’s growth and demand for clean energy, and we will provide power to North Carolina residents and businesses, while adhering to environmentally sound practices.

It is important that North Carolina stay proactive now. The rest of the country is moving at an accelerated pace, according to the Lawrence Berkley National Lab and the U.S. Department of Energy’s recently released annual wind energy industry report. The United States continues to lead the world in annual capacity growth; for the fourth straight year, we saw the most wind capacity additions of any country, capturing about 30 percent of the global market share. And the cumulative wind capacity installed in the United States at the end of 2008 has the ability to supply 1.9 percent of the nation’s average electricity consumption.

North Carolina, with its esteemed universities and innovative science investments, boasts a progressive track record and a commitment to staying on the cutting edge. This includes energy; we must make our resources more environmentally friendly. The OBOE staff believes that North Carolina is a perfect host for one of the United States’ groundbreaking offshore wind farms, and we are excited about leading a positive transformation in the state’s energy practices.