Offshore wind industry says 'misinformation' from foes is a strong headwind it must fight

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — The U.S offshore wind energy industry says it needs to fight back against disinformation being spread by opponents of wind farms.

During the first day of a national offshore wind conference Tuesday in New Jersey, which has become ground zero for vocal, well-organized opposition to such projects, numerous industry officials said they are in a difficult battle against deliberate falsehoods.

These include thus far unsubstantiated claims that offshore wind preparation is killing whales along the East Coast.

“We know it wasn't us, and we have the research to back it up,” said Crystal Pruitt, an external affairs official with Atlantic Shores, which plans two offshore wind farms off the New Jersey coast. “But the hardest thing to do is prove a negative.”