Exploring the Potential Environmental Effects of Offshore Wind Energy in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico

The U.S. Offshore Wind Synthesis of Environmental Effects Research (SEER) project, led by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), is continuing its free, public webinar series to share the latest research on the potential environmental effects of offshore wind energy development. 

On Thursday, January 23, 2025, from 9:00-11:00am PST (5:00-7:00pm UTC), the SEER team is hosting a free, public webinar, "Exploring the Potential Environmental Effects of Offshore Wind Energy in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico". During the webinar, speakers will introduce the offshore wind siting and permitting process in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, as well as the potential technologies and infrastructure likely to be introduced. Speakers will also describe the potential environmental effects of offshore wind energy development in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and discuss monitoring and mitigation methodologies, and remaining knowledge gaps and data needs. The webinar will include brief presentations, panel discussions, and audience Q&A.

Speakers: 

• Becca Fuchs (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)
• Chris Haney (National Audubon Society)
• Cris Hein (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)
• Hayley Farr (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)
• James Morris (National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science)
• Jay Diffendorfer (United States Geological Survey)
• Jeff Clerc (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)
• June Mire (Tetra Tech)
• Laura Dempsey (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)
• Mark Severy (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)
• Meg Lamont (United States Geological Survey)
• Michelle Picou (Bureau of Ocean Energy Management)
• Nate Putman (LGL Limited)
• Sofie Van Parijs (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries)

The webinar recording will be made available on this page and emailed to registrants.

The SEER project recently published Environmental Effects of Offshore Wind Energy in the Gulf of Mexico: Compilation of Educational Research Briefs [Booklet] on Tethys! The booklet is separated into ten sections, each of which focuses on a particular topic, including ecosystem processes, coastal habitats, benthic habitats, birds, bats, flying insects, sea turtles, marine mammals, fish, and marine invertebrates.