Potential Impacts of Offshore Wind on The Marine Ecosystem and Associated Species: Background and Issues for Congress

Offshore wind energy is one alternative to energy derived from the combustion of fossil fuels. The United States’ ability to harness wind energy from the outer continental shelf is at an initial stage compared with European countries and some Asian countries.

As interest in the potential benefits of offshore wind grows in the United States, some stakeholders have expressed concerns about offshore wind projects’ potential impacts on the marine ecosystem.