Source: American Progress

Excerpt:

In February of this year, a whale washed up on a Manasquan, New Jersey, beach—the ninth whale death in the region since early December 2022. Headlines quickly spread, recharging arguments that the offshore wind projects off the state’s coast were to blame. Soon, members of Congress—including Reps. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ), Chris Smith (R-NJ), and Andy Harris (R-MD)—were booking hearings to air their grievances with the offshore wind industry. Mere days after the whale was found, however, reports quietly came forward that it had likely been hit by a ship. Such misinformation has become increasingly common in the Northeast when it comes to offshore wind, with the truth often coming after false narratives have already developed.

Big businesses such as Seafreeze Shoreside Inc., a major seafood processor, and the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers, an industry group representing large fossil fuel companies, appear to have a vested interest in stopping the growth of offshore wind. Offshore wind opponents may be appealing to the distrust that some communities have of this brand-new industry appearing along their coastlines. The reality is that the offshore wind sector is a major jobs creator and an important tool in reducing greenhouse gas emissions; yet misinformation campaigns aim to drive public opinion against clean energy development by spreading falsehoods and misinformation.

Source: The Truth About Offshore Wind: Busting Oil Money Myths and Misinformation