. >> reporter: jon mitchell is the yor of new bedford, and he has been positioning this coastal massachusettsnd its port, to be the center of the burgeoning offshore wind industry in the u.s. >> we here in new bedford see it as a generational opportunity to attract investment. we're really good at what we do on the water, and we want to parlay those skills and the infrtructure into offshore wind and other maritime industries that allow us to continue to grow and create jobs. >> reporter: given its strong winds, relatively shallow water, and proximity to major cities, scientists have long seen the u.s.'s east coast as an ideal place for siting offshore wind projects. back in 2009, then-vice president biden heralded new federal guidelines to help spur the industry. >> these final rules are going to enable delaware and enable the nation to tap into our ocean's vast, vast sustainable resources, to generate clean energy in an environmentally sound and safe manner. >> reporter: but flash forward to today, more than a decade later, and there are only two small projects, seven wind turbines in total,