Wind Turbines Hit a Whale of a Problem

January 31, 2023

The Biden Administration has an expensive and unattainable goal of deploying 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030. But, as companies and manufacturers start the wind project, they are running into a series of snafus. Most recently, whales have been washing up on the New Jersey shoreline. 

So far, nine whales have been stranded in the last six weeks and washed onto beaches not far from where developers of hundreds of offshore wind turbines are engaged in preconstruction activity.

The Washington Post reports: 

“It’s the latest in a string of threats to a fledgling offshore wind industry that climate advocates say is central to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Surging costs from inflation and labor shortages have developers saying their projects may not be profitable. A raft of lawsuits and pending federal restrictions to protect sensitive wildlife could further add to costs. The uncertainty has clouded bright expectations for massive growth in U.S. offshore wind, which the Biden administration and several state governments have bet big on in their climate plans.”

There is also an insane price tag that comes along with wind turbines. The Hill reports that a recent study shows an initial investment of $22.4 billion is needed to get close to President Biden’s 30 gigawatts goal. 

“Building a domestic supply chain for offshore wind energy in the U.S. would require a minimum investment of $22.4 billion and take six to nine years to develop, according to the report… The estimated $22.4 billion total, however, does not include support vessels, workforce training programs and the expansion of existing businesses in supporting supply, the authors warned.”

This administration has long claimed clean energy options like wind turbines will be the future of energy but fail to discuss the negative sides of their plans. Offshore wind is an expensive, unreliable investment that harms endangered wildlife. Americans deserve to know and understand the true impact of these eco-left projects.