US ratification of UNCLOS necessary to secure US interests in the development of offshore wind power

Wind power is a rapidly growing source of alternative energy that is likely to be a fundamental feature in the United States’ energy future.⁸ The success of traditional terrestrial wind turbines combined with an increasing demand for alternative energy has led to increased proposals for developing offshore wind resources.⁹ Because oceans and seas are governed by a wide body of treaties, the construction of offshore wind installations will raise questions of international law.¹⁰ Ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (“UNCLOS”)¹¹ by the United States would clarify the issues of international law for U.S. development of offshore wind power.¹²

UNCLOS is a multinational treaty defining and codifying the law of the sea. On May 15, 2007, President Bush submitted UNCLOS to the Senate for its advice and consent.¹³ The Senate’s ratification of UNCLOS will secure U.S. interests in the development of offshore wind power by providing a uniform body of law for offshore development. Most importantly, it will define jurisdiction, and provide for dispute resolution.