Administration Battles Offshore Wind In Ocean City

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Ocean City's administration is continuing to fight against the Ocean Wind 1 project.

The battle against offshore wind has been a longstanding one in Ocean City for many residents and vacationers who oppose the project. Read More: Ocean City Residents Say Wind Farm Shouldn't Tear Up Beach

Now, with two public hearings coming up, the city administration has outlined its ways to fight the Orsted project.

On Sept. 29, two Zoom hearings will be held by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) at 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. These will focus on Danish energy company Orsted's request to run cables underwater and coming up at the Green Acres beach lot at 35th Street.

Another hearing will be held in Ocean City on Oct. 3 at 6 p.m., hosted by Ocean Wind, LLC, on the same topic. Read More: Offshore Wind Public Hearing To Be Held In Ocean City

Previous hearings were held on this topic, where Ocean City officials called the request a "self-serving approach." Read More: Ocean City Pushes Against Offshore Wind Farm Cables On Beaches

At a recent City Council meeting, City Business Administrator George Savastano explained the city's arguments against the proposal.

"We question the authority of the BPU to even consider Ocean Wind's petition," Savastano said. "We're going to make the case that this petition should be referred to the Office of Administrative Law."

Savastano explained that the city believes by law, the petition should not be considered by the BPU.

The city will also make the case that Ocean Wind should be required to disclose the cost of alternatives routes, and that no decisions should be made until the environmental impact statements required for the project are finalized.

"Frankly, Ocean City's position at this point is that Ocean Wind's presentation thus far in this matter have been either incomplete or not credible," Savastano said.

Council Vice President Karen Bergman said she was "happy" about Ocean City's stance on offshore wind.

"I really am excited to see that Ocean City is going to fight," she said. "That they don't go through our town, and then hopefully they'll find other necessary avenues if they have to go through."