Wind Power News: New Jersey
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Anti–wind farm petition takes off, nearing 250k signatures
A petition drive that demands a halt on wind farm projects following whale deaths along the coast has collected more than 240,000 signatures so far. [As Monday morning, March 13, the petition had more than 318,000 signatures.] Ocean City wind farm opponent Suzanne Hornick, one of the founders of Protect Our Coast NJ, which began in 2019, said it is time to stop offshore wind acoustic testing. “Look at all of the people who care. We don’t believe what our . . . Complete story »
As whale deaths rise, Senate Republicans call for temporary halt to wind farm survey work
“Senate Republicans are deeply concerned by the surge of whale deaths that has occurred since December in the waters and on the beaches of the Jersey Shore and neighboring states,” said Senate Republican Leader Steven Oroho (R-24). “As many of my colleagues have pointed out, the only change in our waters recently has been the start of survey work for the construction of offshore wind farms. It seems like too big of a coincidence to ignore, especially when some of . . . Complete story »
Hundreds attend rally to save whales in Point Pleasant Beach
John and Christine Yap drove over an hour from their Branchburg home in Somerset County to the boardwalk outside of Jenkinson’s Aquarium, where they held signs that read: “We are in the beginning of a mass whale extinction” and “Stop ocean floor sonar mapping. It’s killing the whales.” The couple were among the hundreds of people who crowded the boardwalk to join a “Save the Whales” rally on Sunday afternoon, where environmentalists and elected officials called for a halt to . . . Complete story »
Calls grow to halt offshore wind farm work amid 9th whale death
After another dead whale washed ashore between Manasquan and Point Pleasant Beach on Monday, the ninth whale carcass that’s been discovered on a beach along the New Jersey or New York coast since December, more lawmakers have started calling for a moratorium on offshore wind farm activity currently underway in the Atlantic Ocean. New Jersey state Sen. Vince Polistina, R-Atlantic, has sent Gov. Phil Murphy a letter requesting a 30-day halt on all offshore wind development activity until it can . . . Complete story »
A 40-ton problem is weighing on the $100 billion offshore wind industry
Since early December, close to two dozen large whales have washed up on or near beaches on the US Atlantic coast, and about a third of the so-called strandings have occurred on the shores of New Jersey. It’s unclear what exactly is fueling the deaths, but an unlikely coalition of wind opponents, local environmental groups and conservative talk show hosts have zeroed in on offshore wind as the culprit. They argue that projects in development are disrupting marine life and . . . Complete story »
Cape May County joins calls for hearings on wind energy in wake of whale deaths
Leonard Desiderio, the director of the Cape May County Board of Commissioners, said Thursday he will work with U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd, on issues surrounding wind farms planned off the coast. Desiderio cited recent whale deaths and said there were no definitive answers on their cause. The efforts could include public hearings. Van Drew has called for a pause on offshore work on wind power projects. Officials with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and other marine mammal . . . Complete story »
US offshore wind farms raise concerns across fishing industry
It is not just the low-frequency radar noises from the survey boats that are disrupting the ecosystem. Cables and other construction needs are creating changes in the marine environment, which can be particularly harmful to bottom-feeding species like scallops, clams and flounder. Complete story »
Pleas to pause wind farm plans over whale deaths have fallen on deaf ears, NJ mayor says: ‘Reeks of hypocrisy’
The mayor of Point Pleasant Beach, N.J., Paul Kanitra, has a theory on what may be behind the mysterious string of whale deaths that has left officials speechless. Since offshore wind energy development began in December, the region has witnessed 18 whale deaths – a severe uptick that is not a “coincidence,” the New Jersey mayor argues. “In a normal year, the Jersey Shore coast and in the tri-state area, we have one, two, maybe three whale deaths. Since they . . . Complete story »
NJ Congressman Smith requests suspension of offshore wind energy development
The Honorable Gina Raimondo Secretary of Commerce Dear Secretary Raimondo: I am writing on behalf of twelve New Jersey Shore mayors who have sent the enclosed letter “calling for a moratorium on all offshore wind activity until investigations are held.” I share their concerns regarding the several offshore wind projects under development off the coast of New Jersey, and their requisite impact on recent whale deaths, as well as the potential impacts on the broader environment and the fishing industry. . . . Complete story »
Local mayors, others call for moratorium on wind power surveys
A delegation of a dozen mayors from barrier island communities signed a letter, dated Jan. 30, to New Jersey’s federal legislators, calling for a moratorium on any offshore wind farm activities until state and federal officials can determine what is killing whales off the New Jersey coastline. Local mayors Judith Davies-Dunhour (Stone Harbor), Patrick Rosenello (North Wildwood), and Don Cabrera (Wildwood Crest) each signed the letter addressed to U.S. Sens. Cory Booker and Robert Menendez (both D-NJ), and U.S. Reps. . . . Complete story »
