image by: Ivan Vranić

HWN Suggests

Offshore Wind and Dead Whales

While I hate to say it, whale strandings and deaths along the East Coast aren’t particularly unusual anymore. Since 2016, there’s been a whopping 178 whale mortality events, and there are likely more that go undetected.

But it’s the recent pulse of strandings/deaths in New York and New Jersey, in a very short time period, that’s really concerning. There have been 10 (eight humpbacks, two sperm whales) in the last 6 weeks. That’s a lot—way more than we’ve ever seen in such a short period of time in this area.

Indeed, all of this happens to coincide with the continuing effort to get offshore wind power along the East Coast off the ground.

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Featured

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Given the need to cut carbon emissions, that is welcome news. But, just because wind turbines produce little carbon dioxide does not mean they have no environmental impact.

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Just a few decades ago, the concept of harnessing Mother Nature’s mighty forces via “fields” of oceanic wind turbines could have been the inspiration for a sci-fi film. Cut to 30 years later, and the scene is more than merely status quo – it’s a symbol of a sustainable future. Offshore wind energy has progressed beyond mere symbolism, however.

Articles of Interest

America Has Long Way to Go on Offshore Wind Power

The U.S. held a record-breaking lease sale of territory to build offshore wind power farms in federal waters,..

American Offshore Wind Doesn't Have a Plan. It Could Cost the Country $20 Billion

Developing a comprehensive long-term plan would also have other benefits, such as requiring fewer projects to lay offshore cables that disturb coastal habitats and seafloor ecosystems

Are wind turbines killing whales off America’s Atlantic coast?

A coalition of environmentalists blames wind turbines for the whale deaths. Multiple offshore wind developments have been initiated in the area since President Joe Biden’s election in 2020. There are two wind farms in operation, with seven turbines total. Another two farms are being constructed off New York and Massachusetts.

Floating Wind Farms Are About to Transform the Oceans

One way or another, life just off the coast of California is about to change.

Floating wind farms: how to make them the future of green electricity

Since 2010, wind energy has seen sustained growth worldwide, with the amount of energy generated by offshore wind increasing by nearly 30% each year. Countries around the world need to ramp up renewable energy supply quickly to meet growing demand and rapidly reduce emissions. Despite this urgency, offshore wind currently provides less than 1% of the world’s electricity supply.

Giant Wind Farms Arise Off Scotland, Easing the Pain of Oil’s Decline

Oil and gas workers, losing their jobs as fossil fuel investment wanes, find work in the wind energy business.

How ocean wind power could help the US fossil fuel industry

The government wants to lease offshore wind in the Gulf of Mexico – but the oil industry wants it for its own needs.

Ireland has the wind and seas to become an offshore superpower

Compared to some of its more outlandish ambitions, such as having nearly a million electric vehicles on Ireland’s roads by 2030, the offshore wind target actually seems achievable.

Offshore Wind Farms Could Supply Much of the U.S.'s Electricity (If They Ever Get Built)

While Europe powers ahead, the U.S. government tries to jumpstart offshore wind technology.

Offshore wind finally gets blowing in the US

As milestones go, it was somewhat sad (the farm is just 30 megawatts) and late (offshore wind’s been around for 20 years), but at least it signaled the US was in the offshore-wind game.

Offshore wind has been slow to take off in the US. Here’s what could change that.

High costs and logistical hoops have held back the technology for years.

The $100 Billion Offshore Wind Industry Has a Whale Problem

Dead whales keep washing up on the US Atlantic coast. A coalition of wind opponents, environmentalists and conservatives are blaming offshore wind.

US protesters turn ire on wind farms to explain whale deaths – but where’s the evidence?

The gathering unfolded even as officials dispute the notion that the projects may be to blame for the dead whales, a controversy that – like many – is breaking along political party lines.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of offshore wind farms?

Offshore wind speeds tend to be faster than on land.1 Small increases in wind speed yield large increases in energy production: a turbine in a 15-mph wind can generate twice as much energy as a turbine in a 12-mph wind. Faster wind speeds offshore mean much more energy can be generated.

What would a world powered entirely by offshore wind look like?

A net-zero world will require thousands more wind farms.

Why Britain is a world leader in offshore wind

Its wind farms are key to the country’s net-zero hopes.

Resources

Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Offshore Wind Energy

Offshore wind has the potential to deliver large amounts of clean, renewable energy to fulfill the electrical needs of cities along U.S. coastlines.

NOAA Fisheries

We are focused on minimizing the impacts to ocean resources, critical habitats, and fishing opportunities throughout the planning, siting, and development stages.