Summary

For decades, scientists have seen vast potential for offshore wind energy. Offshore wind energy is the use of wind farms constructed primarily in the ocean which collect wind energy to generate electricity. Despite this potential, offshore wind in the U.S. barely exists, as projects have faced local opposition and concern about how they would affect ocean habitats and fisheries. But with a new emphasis on renewable energy from the Biden Administration, that may soon change.

Five Facts

• Who is currently pushing for offshore wind turbines, and who is resisting them?


• What are the pros and cons of wind energy?


• When and where might a large number of new offshore turbines go up?


• Why do many see investment in renewable energy as important?


• How might renewable energy generation help local economies, according to this piece?

Focus Questions

What incentives do you think would work best to convince communities to adopt renewable energy generation? Media literacy: What information would you want to appear in a news story about renewable energy sources to help you assess whether or not they'd make good investments?