Public Opinion on Offshore Wind: Findings from 13 Coastal States, March 2026

Polling Memo

In March 2026, Turn Forward released the results of its third round of multi-state public opinion polling on offshore wind, conducted by Republican firm The Tarrance Group across 13 coastal states with more than 5,700 registered voters. The survey is the latest in a longitudinal series dating back to January 2025, allowing for direct comparison of voter attitudes over time across a politically and geographically diverse set of states including Texas, Virginia, Maine, California, and New Jersey.

The findings show that support for offshore wind continues to grow even as energy anxiety rises. 74% of voters support offshore wind construction – up from 65% in January 2025 – and 84% favor incorporating more renewable energy into their state’s energy mix. Electricity prices are the dominant concern, with 70% of voters extremely or very worried about costs regardless of party affiliation. Republican support has seen the sharpest movement: GOP voters swung 31 points in 14 months on whether they would support a pro-offshore wind candidate, going from net negative to net positive. Voters also pushed back on common attacks against offshore wind, with 64% rejecting the claim that it drives up energy prices and 68% saying the federal government should honor previously permitted offshore wind projects.