By Kari Williamson

Salazar, who signed the first commercial offshore wind power lease ( for Cape Wind) last year, has said the Interior is close to signing a second lease at this year's Offshore WINDPOWER Conference & Exhibition.

As many as five offshore wind leases could be coming just within the next year, following a competitive process.

Salazar has pledged to keep streamlining government processes to foster offshore wind development, and joined keynote speakers in calling for Federal policy stability such as extension of the Production Tax Credit.