2 Large CO2 reductions via offshore wind power matched to inherent

8 [1] We develop methods for assessing offshore wind 9 resources, using a model of the vertical structure of the 10 planetary boundary layer (PBL) over water and a wind-11 electric technology analysis linking turbine and tower 12 limitations to bathymetry and continental shelf geology. 13 These methods are tested by matching the winds of the 14 Middle-Atlantic Bight (MAB) to energy demand in the 15 adjacent states (Massachusetts through North Carolina, 16 U.S.A.). We find that the MAB wind resource can produce 17 330 GW average electrical power, a resource exceeding the 18 region’s current summed demand for 73 GW of electricity, 19 29 GW of light vehicle fuels (now gasoline), and 83 GW of 20 building fuels (now distillate fuel oil and natural gas). 21 Supplying these end-uses with MAB wind power would 22 reduce by 68 % the region’s CO2 emissions, and reduce by 23 57 % its greenhouse gas forcing. These percentages are in 24 the range of the global reductions needed to stabiliz