Activists opposing offshore wind turbine suddenly embrace nearly extinct right whale

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Wall Street Journal or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Anti-wind energy activists, led by Michael Shellenberger, have turned the endangered North Atlantic right whale into a mascot to oppose offshore wind projects
• Shellenberger claims wind farms threaten the whale's survival, attracting support from groups with ties to fossil fuels and nuclear energy

🔭 The context: Shellenberger, once a renewable energy advocate, shifted to promoting nuclear power
• He argues that wind turbine construction harms right whales, though experts suggest boat collisions and fishing entanglements are the main culprits

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Offshore wind is crucial for the renewable energy transition, with planned U.S. projects poised to power millions of homes
• However, these initiatives face delays due to legal challenges, increasing costs, and opposition

⏭️ What's next: As opposition mounts, the offshore wind industry grapples with rising costs and legal battles
• Some projects have already been canceled, further complicating the U.S. clean energy shift

💬 One quote: “People love whales... those whales gave us the opportunity to get our message out,” said Rep. Jeff Van Drew, a key ally of anti-wind groups

📈 One stat: Offshore wind projects in the U.S. have faced significant opposition, with over half a dozen projects either canceled or facing financial risks in the past year due to rising costs, legal challenges, and local protests

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