Ecological Monitoring and Mitigation Policies and Practices at Offshore Wind Installations in the United States and Europe

Offshore wind energy is poised to expand dramatically along the eastern United States. However, the promise of sustainable energy also brings potential impacts on marine ecosystems from new turbines and transmission infrastructure. This whitepaper informs government officials, scientists, and stakeholders in New Jersey about the current policies and monitoring methods other jurisdictions use to monitor potential ecological impacts from offshore wind installations. We reviewed policy documents in the eastern U.S. and Europe, reviewed the scientific literature, and conducted stakeholder interviews in Spring 2020. Ultimately, our review reveals that the exact nature of ecological impact monitoring at offshore wind installations in North America is still developing. State agencies and offshore wind stakeholders have the opportunity to address regional and collaborative monitoring challenges to increase the likelihood of advancing ecological monitoring investments and practices for future development.Prepared for the New Jersey Climate Change Alliance."August 2020