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This policy brief by Energy Innovation argues that floating offshore wind is a critical, untapped resource for decarbonizing the Western United States. While the U.S. currently lags behind other nations in offshore wind capacity, the authors contend that scaling this technology can diversify energy resources, reduce land-use conflicts, and provide reliable power during peak evening demand. The document outlines the economic potential for job creation and port revitalization, specifically highlighting projects in California, and provides policy recommendations for federal tax credits, infrastructure investment, and transmission planning to achieve net-zero emissions by midcentury.

This report chapter argues that while market economies are powerful tools for resource allocation, they are frequently dysfunctional due to theoretical misconceptions, capital misallocation, and organizational or regulatory failures. It proposes 'natural capitalism' as a framework to extend market principles to all forms of material value, including natural capital, by identifying and turning market imperfections into business opportunities for resource efficiency.