As the U.S. races to build offshore wind power projects, transforming coastlines from Maine to South Carolina, much remains unknown about how the facilities could affect the environment. So far, four offshore wind projects have been approved by the federal government for the U.S. East Coast, according to the American Clean Power Association. On Monday, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management released an environmental impact statement for the proposed Empire Wind project in New York, designed to power 700,000 homes. It determined that the project could have “moderate to major” impacts on commercial fisheries, and “minor to moderate” impacts for recreational fishing.
In Maryland: Developers of two offshore wind projects say they are hopeful that wind turbines will come online in 2026, and that the prospect of offshore wind development has spawned new businesses across the state. But political opposition to the offshore wind remains. The House Republican Caucus in Annapolis this summer appealed to Maryland’s congressional delegation, urging the federal lawmakers to work for a moratorium on all offshore development until key questions can be answered — including potential impacts to marine wildlife.
