Ocean Justice: Strategies for an Equitable Implementation of North Carolina's Offshore Wind Industry

Abstract

The United States currently faces a dual crisis of climate change and inequality. Racial wealth disparities stemming from a history of discriminatory policies and oppressive practices have been further compounded by climate impacts and the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Calls to action by activists and politicians alike propose leveraging opportunities in the clean economy to address both climate change and the deepening socioeconomic divides. Meanwhile, offshore wind is poised to become a major contributor to the United States’ clean energy economy in the next decade and beyond, with the potential to create 83,000 jobs across 74 occupations by 2030. If implemented properly, this burgeoning industry could both mitigate climate change and provide meaningful economic benefits for disadvantaged communities on a large scale. States along the east coast are beginning to establish policies and build capacity for an equitable development of the offshore wind industry. This study examines those strategies, along with existing disparities within the industry, to recommend best practices as North Carolina moves to stake its claim in offshore wind.