Winds of Change

The greatest threat to fisheries is a warming, acidifying ocean.

- Rip Cunningham

I believe offshore wind has the power to mitigate some impacts of global warming and acidification on our oceans. Wind power will have a positive impact on ocean habitat and fishery resources. But everything comes at a cost, and every cost comes with a fight these days.

One of the most potent weapons currently in play in this fight is the bureaucratic delay. It is hard to deny that there are multiple and likely unnecessary layers of bureaucracy related to ocean development. If one sides with the wind developers, this bureaucracy is a major and sometimes defeating headwind. If one sides against them, this bureaucracy can be a potent weapon to slow or even defeat wind-power projects.

Currently, this is what is happening with offshore wind (OSW) development along the Atlantic Coast. Slowing it down has caused a series of problems, from increased physical costs to increased capital costs. While this happens, one has to wonder if Rome is burning, figuratively and literally.

CONFLICTING ACCOUNTS