The U.S. The Interior Department announced Monday that the sale of offshore wind leases for eight areas off Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine will take place on October 29.

Why is it important? These areas could produce up to 13 gigawatts (or more) of clean, offshore wind power, enough to power over 4.5 million homes. CONTEXT Interior announced earlier this month that a wind project was approved off the coast Maryland. This brings the U.S. half way to its goal to deploy 30 gigawatts (or more) of clean energy technology before 2030.

The Department of Energy has approved 10 commercial offshore wind projects and held five offshore lease sales. These include sales off the coast of New York, Central Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf of Mexico.

WHAT'S NEXT? The Federal Register will publish the Final Sale Notice on September 17. A lease does not allow for the construction or operation of offshore wind facilities. The lease simply gives the right to submit specific plans for a project. (Reporting by Anushree Mukherjee in Bengaluru; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)

(source: Reuters)