12 NJ Mayors Fight the Turbines

Call for immediate moratorium, write your legislature today

The alarming number of recent whale deaths has prompted 12 mayors of New Jersey coastal towns to call for immediate moratorium on all offshore wind activity pending a thorough investigation by federal and state authorities. In a letter to federal and state officials, the mayors express their concern about “the unprecedented number of whales that have washed ashore recently.” Concerns that acoustic surveys related to offshore wind development may be a contributing factor in the 7 recent whale deaths that occurred over a 38-day period - more than has ever been recorded in the State of New Jersey in such a small amount of time - has brought strong opposition from local environmental groups and residents. This morning, the 8th dead whale in the New Jersey and New York area washed ashore on Lido Beach, New York. The officials represent the communities of Wildwood Crest, North Wildwood, Stone Harbor, Linwood, Brigantine, Long Beach Township, Mantoloking, Bay Head, Point Pleasant, Spring Lake, and Deal. Additional communities in New Jersey have moved to consider resolutions for an immediate moratorium on offshore wind activity as well.

The mayors’ letter emphasizes that “While we are not opposed to clean energy, we are concerned about the impacts these projects may already be having on our environment.” Offshore wind developers have obtained permits for the “incidental taking” of whales, which would typically be illegal under federal law. This could include potential injury to whales, such as damaging their hearing, or by causing behavioral disruptions in feeding and migration. In response to similar concerns, Benjamin Laws, Deputy Chief for the Permits and Conservation Division with the NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources, says that “there is an expectation that the work will impact marine life, including whales.” NOAA and other self-described environmental groups denounce the lack of evidence about the cause for these recent whale deaths and nevertheless encourage the wind industry and Governor Murphy to press on with his plan to install 11.5 GW of offshore wind projects in New Jersey.

The 12 mayors call for an immediate moratorium on all offshore wind activity pending a thorough investigation by federal and state agencies “that confidently determines” the offshore wind activities are not a contributing factor in the recent whale deaths.

For further information Contact: Dan Ginolfi (Dan.Ginolfi@WarwickConsultants.Net, (202) 787-5770)

To support these NJ Mayors, call or write your legislature and tell them to HALT THE WIND FARM PROJECT! Your opinion does matter!