Over the next decade, offshore wind power will become a major source of electricity for the United States, fundamentally reshaping the nation’s energy supply. State governments will play a major role in shaping an entirely new energy source and the economy of coastal states as a whole. The development of this large-scale energy infrastructure has the potential to impact already marginalized communities, including environmental justice communities, low-income communities, and communities of color, in both positive and negative ways. For that reason alone, careful integration of equity principles into all facets of the market development is necessary.
The report “Offshore Wind and Equity: State of the States Report” published by the Clean Energy States Alliance provides an overview of how states with offshore wind potential have begun to include and operationalize principles of equity in their offshore wind policies and related economic development programs. States, local communities, and other stakeholders can use this report to learn about options to incorporate equity provisions into state offshore wind policies and programs.
Access the report here
