A Q&A with Laura Morse, Director of Environmental Compliance & Strategy

We recently sat down with new team member Laura Morse , Director of Environmental Compliance and Strategy at Invenergy , to talk about her new role, her perspectives on the offshore wind industry, and discuss how to foster successful collaboration with the maritime community.

What are you most excited about in your new role on the Environmental Compliance & Strategy team?

Simply put: Working for an industry leading, American-led, clean energy company. At Invenergy, our Environmental Compliance & Strategy (ECS) team of in-house environmental experts play a crucial role in delivering responsibly developed projects across the company’s diverse portfolio of clean energy solutions, both onshore and offshore. With a significant number of projects developed and in operation in the U.S., it’s clear that Invenergy understands what’s important to the communities where we live and work, and we have the capability and expertise to work collaboratively with stakeholders to achieve smart, innovative projects.

Why are you passionate about the offshore wind industry?

I view climate change as the number one risk to the environment. American offshore wind is crucial if we’re going to achieve our national decarbonization targets and address the global climate and energy crisis. It’s worth noting that Invenergy itself has established a net zero target by 2050. As a marine biologist at heart, I strongly believe decarbonization efforts are essential for the health of the marine system, particularly for critically endangered species such as North Atlantic right whales who have been significantly impacted by climate change and shifting food resources. I also believe we – as an industry – have a unique opportunity to advance a number of innovative tools and strategies that can help conserve species.?

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What do you think makes for successful collaboration between the offshore wind industry and maritime community?

Communication and transparency. We must be honest brokers and come to the table ready to listen. We must work to understand the concerns of the maritime community, dispel misconceptions about the offshore wind industry, and strive for coexistence – which I believe is achievable with all maritime users. Ultimately, offshore wind can bring significant benefits to the maritime community, and I believe there are mutual benefits yet to be capitalized on. As an example, wind farms can be platforms for an expanded network of meteorological and oceanographic monitoring. Resulting data would improve marine and coastal weather forecasts and directly benefit mariners and coastal communities.