As energy affordability continues to dominate headlines, the offshore wind industry has a unique opportunity—and responsibility—to reclaim the narrative. In a recent panel moderated by seasoned communicators from state agencies to national advocacy organizations, the discussion focused on practical, grounded ways to counter misinformation and strengthen public trust.
A consistent message is the importance of pairing real data with real people. Lisa Engler, Deputy Managing Director at the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, pointed to this year’s remarkable count of North Atlantic right whale calf births, the highest since 2011. The milestone comes as five offshore wind projects were simultaneously under construction, proving that project advancement and marine life protection can coexist. At the same time, tangible progress is visible offshore, with all 62 of Vineyard Wind’s turbines now standing, representing one of the largest offshore energy infrastructure achievements in the nation.
Erin McLean, Communications Director at Turn Forward, emphasized the power of authentic messengers. Fishermen who are now working on offshore wind projects in New England, she explained, bring unmatched credibility when speaking about coexistence, benefits, and lived experience. “We have to elevate those fantastic messengers,” she said.
Panelist Abby Watson of The Groundwire Group emphasized urgency and clarity in communication. “Silence is deadly right now,” she warned. By grounding messaging in community-level impacts, from jobs to cleaner air, communicators can help audiences understand not just what offshore wind is, but why it matters. Watson pointed to debates like New York City’s transmission cable routing as examples where controversy often overshadows the bigger picture: without new clean power infrastructure, communities remain dependent on polluting peaker plants and the health impacts that come with them.
With energy once again a top‑three issue for voters, something not seen at this scale since the 1970s, the panelists stressed that the industry must clearly connect offshore wind to affordability, reliability, and modernization. As Watson put it, infrastructure upgrades should follow the same logic communities already apply: “When your state replaces a bridge or highway, they don’t use 20‑year‑old technology.”
The takeaway is unmistakable: offshore wind is no longer a future promise; it is here, happening now. And with clear, consistent, community‑focused storytelling, the industry can help the public see that too.
Learn more about other takeaways from Oceantic’s IPF Week here.
