The Turning Point for Atlantic Offshore Wind Energy

Time for Action to Create Jobs, Reduce Pollution, Protect Wildlife, and Secure America’s Energy Future

As America struggles to revitalize our economy, create jobs, secure an energy independent future, and protect our communities and wildlife from the dangers of climate change, one energy source offers a golden opportunity to power our homes and businesses without creating more pollution — Atlantic offshore wind.

Report

Environment New York Research & Policy Center

As America struggles to revitalize our economy, create jobs, secure an
energy independent future, and protect our communities and wildlife
from the dangers of climate change, one energy source offers a golden
opportunity to power our homes and businesses without creating more
pollution — Atlantic offshore wind.

America has some of the best offshore wind resources in the world,
particularly along the Atlantic coast where over 1,300 gigawatts (GW)
of energy generation potential has been identified. Harnessing just a
fraction of our offshore wind resource — 52 GW — could power about
14 million U.S. homes with local, pollution-free energy while creating
over $200 billion in new economic activity along the coast.

Offshore wind energy is a real, viable option for America and it’s ready
right now. Europe has been building offshore wind energy for over a
decade, and is currently producing enough electricity from offshore wind
to power 4 million homes. Around the globe, countries are increasingly
looking to their offshore winds as a safe, reliable energy source that has
tremendous economic development benefits.

Here in America, offshore wind energy is at a turning point. While we do
not have a single offshore wind turbine spinning off our shores, recent
actions by the federal government, along with bipartisan leadership from
coastal state officials, have put critical building blocks in place —
bringing us closer than ever before to finally tapping this massive
domestic energy source. Looking forward, action is urgently needed to
ensure that appropriately-sited offshore wind energy becomes a reality
for America.