Three anti-wind energy groups are suing the state of New Jersey to revoke key environmental approvals for a wind farm planned off the coast of Long Beach Island.
Save Long Beach Island, Save Brigantine Beach, Protect Our Shores On April 26, New Jersey announced that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has determined that the Atlantic Shores Wind Energy Project meets the requirements of the federal Coastal Protection Act. He objected and filed suit in the Court of Appeals.
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Atlantic Shores is one of three wind farms planned off the coast of New Jersey that have received preliminary approval.
“The state’s approval argues that the Atlantic Shores plan would destroy marine habitat, compact and harden the ocean floor, harm marine communities, and impair migration corridors,” said Bruce Afran, an attorney for both groups. “This is contrary to federal regulators’ environmental impact statements.” It is listed as an endangered species, causing a decline in commercial fishing resources. ”
Onshore wind turbines spin in Atlantic City. New Jersey, November 3, 2023. On Tuesday, April 30, 2024, the New Jersey Utility Regulatory Authority opened a fourth call for new offshore wind proposals to join the three that have already received preliminary approval. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry)
The same three groups objected to a wind farm proposed by Danish wind energy company Orsted, which canceled the project in October.
The lawsuit is the latest hurdle facing New Jersey as it seeks to become an East Coast leader in offshore wind power. These three groups are among the most vocal opponents and litigators of offshore wind projects.
The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office declines to comment on pending litigation, and Atlantic Shores did not respond to a request for comment Friday.
But Joshua Henn, a political strategist who advises several groups fighting climate change, accused anti-wind groups of acting in collusion with the fossil fuel industry.
“There’s nothing grassroots about this effort,” he said. “It’s space turf sown by the fossil fuel industry.”
Protect Our Coast President Robin Shafer rejected that claim.
“We have never received a penny from any entity connected to the fossil fuel industry,” he said. “Not one.”
Until a year ago, the group used the Caesar Rodney Institute to store its funds. The Delaware-based group is part of a group of think tanks that support and receive funding from fossil fuel interests, according to the Energy Policy Institute.
Caesar Rodney charged Protect Our Coast a 12% fee to hold its funds, Schaefer said, adding that his group currently has no ties to the institute.
He also noted that one of Atlantic Shores’ owners is an affiliate of global oil and gas company Shell.
Schaefer said state and federal officials are rushing to approve offshore wind projects without fully considering the potential negative impacts.
“It’s like building a plane while it’s flying, only you don’t know where it’s going or if it’s going to land safely,” he said.
Jason Ryan, a spokesperson for the U.S. Clean Power Association, said currently planned offshore wind projects are “among the most carefully planned and analyzed infrastructure projects in U.S. history, and their permits are subject to legal scrutiny.” I’m confident that we can withstand it.”
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Earlier this week, the New Jersey Public Utilities Commission began soliciting a fourth round of additional offshore wind projects.
The state has set a goal of generating 100% of its electricity from clean sources by 2035.
