“The Legacy of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: How His Opposition to Offshore Wind Shaped the Industry”
The story of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s opposition to offshore wind farms, particularly the Cape Wind project in Nantucket Sound, has had a lasting impact on the U.S. offshore wind industry. Kennedy’s vocal opposition to the project, which would have been one of the largest offshore wind farms in the world, set back offshore wind development in the United States by over 20 years, according to project proponents.
Kennedy’s stance on offshore wind has evolved over the years, with him now opposing all offshore wind projects, citing concerns about their impact on whales, fisheries, and cost. However, experts in the field have refuted many of Kennedy’s claims, stating that offshore wind projects have not been linked to whale deaths and are cost-competitive with other forms of renewable energy.
Kennedy’s changing views and embrace of conspiracy theories related to vaccines and other issues have disheartened many environmental advocates who once looked up to him as an environmental champion. His recent endorsement of former President Donald Trump, who has a history of mocking wind power, has further alienated him from the environmental community.
Despite calls from former colleagues at the Natural Resources Defense Council and environmental organizations to drop out of the election and accusations of being a science denier, Kennedy remains on the ballot in several states and has been named to Trump’s transition team should he be reelected.
The story of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s opposition to offshore wind farms serves as a cautionary tale about the influence of powerful individuals on environmental policy and the importance of staying informed and critical of misinformation in the public discourse.