Offshore WINDPOWER Conference & Exhibition 2018

Sessions Speakers Buzz

e-Poster: Top Ten Confessions Of A Former Regulator (Room Station 2)

17 Oct 18
1:05 PM - 1:15 PM

Tracks: Building Public, Stakeholder & Political Support, Posters

The permitting challenges of offshore wind are daunting. What is on the mind of the regulators who must issue the permits? 1. Regulators want to see you succeed. Offshore wind is the new frontier, and they would like to approve projects. They want to work with you, but at arm’s length. 2. Be realistic; don’t ask for things they can’t do. 3. They don’t like the Jones Act either. 4. They assume they will be sued, so they won’t be quick to take risks. 5. Your schedule should be built around the regulatory schedule; you should have a reserve (time and money) for regulatory contingencies. 6. The regulators won’t save you from yourself, even if you are making bad choices. 7. They expect you to work to resolve stakeholder concerns; they also know that some stakeholders can’t be satisfied. 8. You need to protect yourself against shifting political winds. 9. Candid, non-adversarial communications can only help. 10. They do not welcome political pressure.