Abstract
Media coverage shapes public acceptance of renewable energy, but how offshore wind is being communicated to the public, particularly in the United States, is understudied. This study investigates the framing approaches of media coverage of the first two large-scale offshore wind projects in the U.S. We find that most coverage is local, with media coverage increasing during debates around permitting, construction, and community impacts. Emphasis framing focused on economic, political, and environmental dimensions of offshore wind, but the framing differs significantly between the cases. Benefit frames focused on job creation, climate mitigation, and political leadership and collaboration. Risk frames focused on political conflict and lack of transparency, impacts on wildlife, and economic impacts on the fishing industry. These findings help contextualize the debates around offshore wind in the U.S., elucidating what dimensions are made most salient to the public and how project characteristics may drive media coverage.