The Issue

The offshore wind industry stands at a critical crossroads. While it offers transformative potential for clean energy, job creation, and climate resilience, it is currently facing mounting challenges:

• Federal Rollbacks: The current federal administration has halted new offshore wind leases, paused construction on key projects, and ordered sweeping permit reviews. These actions have disrupted billions in investment and jeopardized thousands of clean energy jobs.
• Economic Pressures: Offshore wind developers are grappling with rising costs – up to 50% increases in materials, labor, and financing – leading to project delays and cancellations. Supply chain bottlenecks and limited port infrastructure further strain the industry’s ability to scale.
• Grid and Transmission Gaps: Even where offshore wind projects are approved, outdated grid systems and insufficient transmission capacity are major bottlenecks. Without modernized infrastructure, clean energy can’t reach the communities that need it most.
• Equity at Risk: Without intentional planning, the benefits of offshore wind, such as workforce opportunities, air quality improvements, and community reinvestment, risk bypassing frontline and historically marginalized communities.

In New York and New Jersey, projects that could anchor the region’s clean energy future are in limbo. Communities that were preparing for workforce training, port revitalization, and economic development now face uncertainty.

Our Approach

Strengthen working waterfront visibility and political clout.

Waterfront Alliance is committed to ensuring offshore wind becomes a cornerstone of a just and resilient energy transition. Our approach is multi-pronged:

• Advocacy & Policy Leadership: We advocate for strong state and regional commitments to offshore wind procurement, equitable permitting processes, and long-term investment certainty. We amplify the voices of community-based organizations and MWBEs to ensure inclusive participation in the offshore wind economy.
• Infrastructure Readiness: We support the modernization and activation of critical infrastructure—including ports, interconnection points, and transmission systems—to ensure offshore wind energy can be efficiently built, deployed, and delivered to the grid.
• Workforce Development: We champion investments in education and training. Critical initiatives prepare local residents, especially youth and workers from environmental justice communities, for high-quality jobs in engineering, welding, environmental science, and maritime logistics.
• Coalition Building: Through convenings, webinars, and cross-sector partnerships, we bring together labor, industry, government, and community leaders to align around shared goals for offshore wind development that is equitable, resilient, and community-driven.