A new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office concludes that offshore wind projects, when developed responsibly, can offer meaningful public health and climate benefits while posing limited risk to marine wildlife.
The report, released this week, was requested by Reps. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ-2), Chris Smith (R-NJ-4), Bruce Westerman (R-AR-4), and Andy Harris (R-MD-1). It evaluates the current state of offshore wind development along U.S. coastlines, including potential impacts to marine ecosystems and communities.
Amber Hewett, senior director of offshore wind energy at the National Wildlife Federation, said the findings affirm offshore wind’s role in advancing cleaner air and energy resilience.
“This report indicates what we already know—offshore wind, when developed with strong environmental safeguards and community input, is a vital solution to reduce pollution, strengthen energy security and improve public health,” Hewett said.
The report projects that offshore wind could help cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by up to 5% by 2035. It also found that acoustic surveys used during development are unlikely to harm marine mammals, and no evidence links wind activity to recent whale strandings.
Federal agencies including the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and NOAA Fisheries require developers to follow mitigation protocols, such as real-time monitoring of marine life, vessel speed limits and halting construction when protected species are present.
The report calls for improved guidance on data collection and Tribal consultation. It also points to potential health benefits from reduced fossil fuel use, including improved air quality and lower pollution-related illness.
The findings arrive as New Jersey continues to expand its offshore wind footprint, with multiple projects in development and strategic investments such as the New Jersey Wind Port supporting long-term industry growth.
