Transatlantic Coastal Community Voices on Floating Offshore Wind Farms With Artificial Reefs

Abstract

ABSTRACT In the United States (US) and in France, offshore wind farms (OWFs) and floating offshore wind farms (FOWFs) have faced political concerns and, in some cases, strong stakeholder opposition. Respecting the views of local communities is critical for a socially responsible energy transition. The development of such projects should also minimize impacts on the environment. This study aimed to assess and compare US and French coastal communities' perceptions of OWFs and FOWFs and to understand how artificial reefs may affect attitudes towards FOWFs. In 2022, semi‐structured interviews were conducted with local people in the state of Maine (US) and in the Pays‐de‐la‐Loire region (France) near planned or existing floating offshore wind projects. The interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Overall, a remarkable similarity was found between the regions, where both American and French communities were generally supportive of OWFs, and FOWFs in particular. Most concerns were related to biodiversity impacts, economic impacts (fisheries and economics) or aesthetic impacts. Differences between countries were seen in secondary concerns such as noise impacts or maintenance issues. Artificial reefs were largely viewed positively, although people were skeptical about the benefits and concerned about material and cost. Artificial reefs did not change people's opinions about FOWFs, and instead, they reinforced attitudes of opponents and supporters. People showed strong agreement upon their confidence in scientific leadership for such future projects, expressing a need for collaboration between academic researchers, governments, private companies, and seafarers.

Keywords

• attitudes
• biocolonization
• energy
• France
• public perceptions
• United States