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Grow and Organize the Offshore Wind Industry
The U.S. Department of Energy has set targets to develop 30 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 and 110 GW by 2050. This reflects the industry's critical role in achieving the nation's decarbonization goals.325 If the US built wind farms up and down its coastlines, we could meet
323 Federal Railroad Administration, “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Information from FRA.”
today's electricity demands more than three times over, enhance energy security, and power community-sustaining economic growth.326
OSW is a nascent industry in the US and Canada, and we are just scratching the surface when it comes to job creation potential. Four major US-based OSW projects–Vineyard Wind, South Fork Wind Farm, Momentum Wind, and Sunrise Wind–are set to power over 1.2 million American homes by 2026.327 Vineyard Wind alone promises 3,600 job years,328 while the industry as a whole is projected to create up to 45,000 full-time equivalent jobs over 6–9 years across manufacturing and supply chains.329
Furthermore, energy companies need U.S.-built vessels to comply with the Jones Act, a federal law which requires vessels transporting goods between U.S. ports be American-made, owned, flagged, and crewed.330 Building OSW vessels is a massive undertaking. Virginia-based Dominion Energy has commissioned a $500 million ship named Charybdis that is nearly 500 feet long with a load capacity of over 2,000 tons.331 Current projections suggest that the industry will demand more than a dozen domestically-manufactured service vessels in the coming years.332 IAM shipbuilders could secure years of work if the industry takes off.
In recent years, the OSW industry has faced major obstacles. Inflation, high interest rates, supply chain bottlenecks, and other issues slowed the industry’s growth in 2023 and 2024, with multiple projects being canceled or delayed.333 After months of setbacks, many are now forecasting a “comeback” for the industry,334 and continued support from labor and other allies can help in building a robust industry.
The IAM can use its expertise and influence to support the growth of the OSW industry. First, the union can leverage federal financing, such as the DOE's Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program, to partner with employers, drive investment, and support the development of critical infrastructure. Second, the IAM can prioritize skills transfer and training, developing specialized programs that align with industry needs.335 Third, the union can advocate for more efficient permitting and siting processes as well as expanded lease areas to accelerate
326 U.S. Department of Energy.
328 Hand.
329 Shields et al., “Supply Chain Road Map for Offshore Wind Energy in the United States.”
332 Shields et al., “Supply Chain Road Map for Offshore Wind Energy in the United States.”
333 Wasser, Miriam, “Offshore Wind in the U.S. Hit Headwinds in 2023. Here’s What You Need to Know.”
335 Stefek et al., “U.S. Offshore Wind Energy Workforce Assessment.”
OSW development,336 while working with existing maritime industries to mitigate any negative impacts. Finally, the IAM can advocate for labor standards in the procurement process and work with shipbuilders to ensure that skilled union workers build the OSW service fleet.337
Advocating for regional coordination across all states involved in offshore wind development could help play an important part in these efforts. Coastal states in the American Northeast and Pacific Northwest are poised to become hubs for OSW manufacturing and servicing.338 The IAM should strive to promote smart growth in the industry and capture new work in these states.
Prioritizing equity should also be a key pillar of the IAM’s strategy. Several states, including New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, have already included provisions in their OSW solicitations to increase workforce diversity and ensure environmental justice.339 To build a more diverse and powerful union, the IAM can expand recruitment in marginalized communities. This could include partnering with developers and state agencies to create training programs targeting underrepresented groups and developing strategies to recruit and retain workers from underserved communities.340 By implementing these strategies, the IAM can play a pivotal role in shaping a skilled, diverse, and unionized workforce that meets the growing needs of the U.S. offshore wind industry.