Ørsted announces Chris Bason to lead local outreach efforts
Danish-based wind farm company Ørsted announced Oct. 17 it has hired former Center for the Inland Bays Executive Director Chris Bason to serve as stakeholder engagement lead in Delaware.
According to the announcement, Bason, who worked for 18 years at the center, will be responsible for developing and implementing external engagement strategies in support of Skipjack Wind and will represent Ørsted to local communities, businesses and elected officials.
Bason stepped down from his position at CIB in April. Initially, he was the organization’s science coordinator and then spent 10 years as executive director, during which the center initiated many successful environmental programs; developed a comprehensive State of the Bays report and revised the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan for the Inland Bays; developed legislation to launch Delaware’s shellfish aquaculture industry; and created successful initiatives for land conservation, reforestation, shoreline protection and citizen-science participation.
In a prepared statement, Bason said he shares Ørsted’s vision of a world run entirely on green energy and is thankful for the unique opportunity to be part of a team bringing a new industry to Delaware.
“How we produce our energy has the biggest impact on the health of our environment,” he said.
Brady Walker, Ørsted’s head of government affairs and market strategy for Maryland and Delaware, said Bason demonstrated a deep appreciation for the value of public engagement and community partnerships during his time with CIB.
“Chris is an excellent choice to lead our Delaware efforts because he shares Ørsted’s commitment to translating Skipjack Wind’s economic and environmental benefits into tangible improvements for Delawareans,” said Walker in a prepared statement.
Bason is a native of New Castle and has lived in Ocean View since 2004 with his wife and two children. He earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from the University of Delaware and master’s degree in biology from East Carolina University. Prior to joining CIB, Bason participated in wetlands research and management while working for The Nature Conservancy, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and East Carolina University.
Skipjack Wind is a 966 MW offshore wind project off the Maryland-Delaware coast that is expected generate enough clean energy to power nearly 300,000 homes in the region.
