According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, offshore wind is the second most expensive electricity generating technology, but that is not stopping the Department of Energy (DOE) from providing $141 million in new subsidies for offshore wind. DOE will provide up to $47 million each to three offshore wind power projects over the next four years to pioneer “innovative” technology.[1] The projects are off the coasts of New Jersey, Oregon and Virginia. Due to its cost, maintenance uncertainties, and sight pollution, there are currently no operational offshore wind farms in North American waters. The Cape Wind project off the coast of Massachusetts has been stalled for precisely these reasons.
