Public acceptance of offshore wind power across regions and through time

Abstract

This paper analyses mail surveys of residents living near two proposed offshore wind projects – Cape Wind off Massachusetts and Bluewater Wind off Delaware, and compares responses in 2005 or 2006 with 2009. On Cape Cod, compared with 2005, a majority (57%) now supports Cape Wind. Support in Delaware has remained relatively constant since 2006, reaching 80% in 2009. Questions examined reasons for support or opposition. A desire for energy independence is an increasingly significant reason for support in both areas and has motivated some individuals to switch from opposition to support. Conversely, those who switched from support to opposition said they were most concerned about fishing and recreational boating impacts.