RFK Jr. Goes Off on Offshore Wind Farms—Here’s Why He Thinks They’re a Disaster
Okay, let’s talk about something that’s been buzzing lately. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—yeah, that Kennedy—just dropped some serious truth bombs about offshore wind farms. And honestly? It’s making people rethink this whole “green energy” thing. In a recent chat on WABC’s “Cats Roundtable,” he straight-up called these projects a mess. Not just for our wallets, but for marine life, especially whales. So, are we trading one problem for another? Let’s break it down.
The Big Three Issues RFK Jr. Won’t Shut Up About
First off, Kennedy isn’t holding back. He hit three main points hard:
- Costs are out of control: These projects keep blowing past budgets—like, way past. And guess who foots the bill? Us.
- Whales are dying: He’s linking wind farms to the rise in whale deaths. Noise from construction messes with their heads, literally.
- Does this even work? Compared to fossil fuels or other renewables, offshore wind’s efficiency is… questionable at best.
And here’s the kicker—he called it a “costly bust.” Ouch.
Why Your Wallet’s Getting Lighter
Let’s talk money. Offshore wind isn’t just expensive—it’s stupid expensive. Think billions, not millions. Europe’s already seeing delays and budget nightmares. And the ocean? It’s brutal out there. Saltwater, storms, constant wear and tear—maintenance is a never-ending headache. Kennedy’s take? “We’re throwing cash at something that might never pay off.” Hard to argue with that.
The Whale Problem (And No, It’s Not Just Vibes)
Okay, so whales. Kennedy’s biggest firestorm is linking wind farms to whale deaths. Scientists are careful—ship strikes and fishing gear are still the main culprits—but underwater noise from construction? Yeah, that messes with marine life. The government says they’ve got it under control with seasonal pauses, but… do they? Wind advocates shoot back that oil and gas pollution hurts whales more. But here’s the thing: does that make it okay?
And it’s not just whales. Birds smacking into turbines, fish migrations getting screwed up, the seabed getting torn apart—it’s a whole ecosystem domino effect. Kennedy’s line says it all: “We’re swapping one environmental disaster for another.” Harsh, but is he wrong?
The Real Debate: Clean Energy or Corporate Greenwashing?
Here’s where it gets messy. Offshore wind is zero-emission, sure. But it’s not perfect—intermittent power, storage issues, all that jazz. Countries like the UK and Denmark make it work, but they’ve had years to figure it out. Kennedy’s bigger issue? He hates these massive corporate “green” projects. His solution? Smaller-scale stuff like rooftop solar. Less profit for big companies, more control for regular people. Can’t say I disagree.
Oh, and he’s not exactly best friends with Biden’s energy policies. His quote says it all: “Real sustainability means protecting ecosystems, not industrializing them.” Mic drop.
Who’s Backing Him Up—And Who’s Pushing Back
Coastal towns are pissed. New Jersey saw protests after whales started washing up near survey sites. Even some scientists, like marine biologist Dr. Lisa DiPinto, say the government’s ignoring red flags—though she won’t outright blame the turbines.
But the wind industry isn’t taking this lying down. The National Renewable Energy Lab called Kennedy’s whale claims “misleading.” And they’re hyping up job numbers—28,000 by 2030!—plus Europe’s success stories. Still, it’s hard to ignore the backlash.
So… What Now?
Kennedy’s forcing a tough conversation. Offshore wind isn’t some eco-villain, but it’s not a magic fix either. The real challenge? Balancing speed with caution. We need clean energy, but not at the cost of wrecking oceans. And honestly? That’s a line we’re still figuring out.
One thing’s clear: this debate isn’t going away. And maybe that’s a good thing—because blind optimism never solved anything.
Source: NY Post – US News
