NJ Offshore Wind Farm Slapped With New Lawsuit

NJ Offshore Wind Farm Slapped With New Lawsuit

A major wind farm project off the coast of southern New Jersey is facing legal challenges as the County of Cape May, along with local tourism and fishing business groups, has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of the Interior.

The lawsuit aims to halt the construction of the Ocean Wind project, a multi-billion-dollar initiative by Danish developer Orsted.

The County of Cape May alleges that federal approvals for the project were granted without proper consideration of the potential harm to endangered animals, such as whales and sea turtles, and the adverse effects on bird populations.

They argue that the government violated federal environmental review and endangered species protection laws when awarding permits for the project earlier this year.

The primary concerns outlined in the lawsuit revolve around the construction phase, claiming that underwater noise and vessel strikes during this period could negatively impact North Atlantic right whales and sea turtles.

Additionally, the spinning blades of the wind turbines are expected to pose a threat to migrating birds. The potential harm to these species has raised alarms among environmentalists and wildlife conservation advocates.

Furthermore, the County of Cape May emphasizes that the wind farm could have far-reaching consequences on the region’s tourism and commercial fishing industries.

The $7.4 billion tourism sector, a significant economic driver, could suffer due to the presence of the wind turbines. Additionally, commercial fishing, contributing around $270 million annually to the local economy, may face restrictions.

The Ocean Wind project, developed by Orsted, received approval from the Interior Department in July, following a comprehensive multi-year review involving several federal agencies.

The project is designed to feature up to 98 wind turbines, generating an estimated 1,100 megawatts of clean energy, enough to power approximately 380,000 homes. Measures were included in the approvals to mitigate potential harm to marine mammals and birds.

The Biden administration has been actively promoting offshore wind energy, aiming to develop 30 gigawatts of capacity by 2030. Ocean Wind is the third utility-scale offshore wind farm to receive federal approvals. Past legal challenges against similar projects in the Atlantic have not been successful.

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While the U.S. government’s approvals for the Ocean Wind project emphasize conservation measures, the lawsuit filed by Cape May County underscores the ongoing tensions between renewable energy development and environmental protection, particularly in regions with unique ecosystems and economic dependencies on tourism and fishing.