A Devastating Blow to the Ocean from Offshore Wind Projects: Take Action Now to Defend the Ocean

The rush to develop wind energy off the nation’s coast continues. Projects off NY/NJ are reaching critical review milestones while proposing to harass thousands of whales and dolphins for preconstruction and construction related activities:

• To date, private companies—many fossil fuel giants—have proposed or been authorized to harass 870,499 marine mammals for OSW projects in the NY/NJ region alone since 2014.

• The 12-turbine project off Eastern Long Island, NY, called “South Fork,” began construction with the installation of its first monopile foundation on the seafloor.

Atlantic Shores Project Area & Cable Routes
Photo Credit: BOEM

• On May 15, the 2,200+ page Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the 200-turbine Atlantic Shores South projects located nearly 10 miles from Atlantic City, NJ, was released for public review and comment. Only a 45-day comment period was provided. COA thanks those officials and members of the public who requested a reasonable extension to allow more time for review. Unfortunately, these requests were ignored by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM).

• On May 26, BOEM released Orsted’s Ocean Wind 1 Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)—over 2,400 pages in length—for a 98-turbine offshore wind power plant 15 miles off Atlantic City, NJ. BOEM approved the project with a Record of Decision on July 5. Construction is expected to begin onshore in Fall 2023.

• On June 15, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), an independent congressional watchdog, agreed to a request made by US Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) for an independent investigation into the impacts of OSW development. The investigation will include OSW developmental impacts on the environment, fishing industry, military operations, navigational safety, and more. COA applauds US Congressman Smith for requesting this long, overdue investigation.

• On July 6, NJ Governor Murphy signed a bill to fund Orsted’s Ocean Wind 1 on the backs of NJ taxpayers despite the fact the $42 billion government-owned company recently invested$625 million in another OSW project off Massachusetts. The bill narrowly passed the NJ Legislature in late June. Waves of thanks to state legislators who had the courage to stand up for the ocean and taxpayer interests!

COA continues to advocate boldly and loudly to protect the ocean—the planet’s #1 most dependable, successful, and free buffer to climate change, while also focusing on the fastest, safest, and cheapest solutions to climate change, including eliminating energy waste and reducing use.

Concerned about offshore wind?
To email Governor Murphy or President Biden, use the links above
to an online form.