There can be no more doubt on the promise of American offshore wind energy after Friday’s record-smashing federal auction of 390,000 acres of water far south of Martha’s Vineyard. A forlorn area that attracted no bids in 2015 from investors frustrated over the collapse of Cape Wind is now the Cinderella of energy, going in three parcels for a combined $405.1 million.

Photo: Derrick Jackson
Record-Smashing Auction Sets America on Course for Offshore Wind
Derrick Z. Jackson, fellow
December 17, 2018 3:00 PM EDT