Donald Trump Could Blow a Big Hole in New York’s Climate Plan

Does Offshore Wind Kill Wildlife?

At a May rally, Donald Trump echoed some common concerns among offshore wind opponents: that turbines kill birds and whales. Anti-wind backlash has been growing, fueled in particular by an ongoing spate of whale deaths along the East Coast since 2017. But scientists have found that the whales are primarily being killed by large ships and fishing gear — not offshore wind construction. Ramping up turbine construction could pose risks to whales, and developers and regulators are taking steps to minimize those risks.

Wind turbines, both onshore and offshore, do kill birds, but conservation groups largely agree that the danger is far smaller than the existential risks posed by climate change, not to mention the daily threats birds face from cats, buildings, and cars.

Trump also said at the rally that offshore wind energy is “the most expensive there is.” The technology is expensive up front, but it’s cheap to operate once it’s up and running, since its “fuel” — the wind — is free. According to an energy cost analysis by the investment bank Lazard, the total cost of offshore wind power over 20 years is comparable to the cost of electricity from an existing coal plant and considerably cheaper than new nuclear plants. It’s not the cheapest form of energy on offer, but it’s far from the most expensive.