States in the northeast bet big on off-shore wind. Seeing the potential for lots of good-paying jobs, labor unions bought in. Then, the companies leading the projects decided to pull out, citing an number of factors including the permitting process, a lack of subsidies and supply chain issues. Together, these factors undermine the economic viability of the planned wind farms off the Atlantic coast. The work stoppages  hamper states’ efforts to de-carbonize their electric grids and meet climate change goals. They’ve also caused widespread layoffs in an industry that was supposed to be the future.

Sierra Magazine takes a long hard look at turbulence rattling the nascent offshore wind industry. Below, a couple of spot illos that appeared in the spread.