Offshore Wind Needs More Review Time, Conservation Groups Say

OCEAN CITY, NJ — More time is needed to review the potential impacts of offshore wind on New Jersey, members of conservation groups said.

Recently, the Bureau of Environmental Management (BOEM) released a draft Environmental Impact Statement, or DEIS, a 1,400 page study reviewing the potential environmental impact of the controversial Ocean Wind 1 project on Southern New Jersey. Read More: Public Comment Opens For Ocean City Windfarm Project

The nearly 900 foot tall turbines will sit about 15 miles off the coast of South Jersey, which many fear will harm aquatic wildlife, as well as damage tourism and ocean views.

The DEIS evaluates different alternatives for the project to function, which the public originally was allowed to comment on in a 45-day period that at first closed on Aug. 8. This is not long enough to review the entire document and share thoughts on it, some of the project's critics said in a nearly three-hour hearing.

On Aug. 3, BOEM announced that the comment period would be extended to Aug. 23, giving an extra 15 days for the public to share.

Such a lengthy draft with a brief hearing period is "absolutely overwhelming for any reasonable person or parties who want to remain informed and can contribute to the agency record," Zachary Klein, a policy attorney for conservation group Clean Ocean Action said.

Klein called for an extension on the comment period and requested a smaller pilot project to be tested first, "before we rush ahead with industrial-level offshore wind."

Kari Martin, advocacy campaign manager for Clean Ocean Action, said that the group is not opposed to offshore wind, but rather needs to focus on ocean protection. Ocean Wind 1 is one of several offshore wind projects considered right now in New Jersey.

"The size, scope and scale of all these projects being considered simultaneously is alarming," Martin said.

Martin called for due process, saying that peer-reviewed studies were needed with more time to review the DEIS.

Other groups and members of the public agreed.

Suzanne Hornick, of Protect our Coast NJ, said that there is "nowhere near enough time to read and understand the DEIS for the layperson," and asked for a six-month extension on the public comment period, though ultimately, would like the project to be fully denied.

"We are not technologically ready for this massive industrialization of our ocean," said Jacqueline Walling, chair of the Environmental Committee of the Women's Club of Brielle, who also called for peer reviewed studies.

However, supporters of the project shared the opposite message: we cannot wait any longer.

"Climate change is the greatest change of our time and our future depends on fighting it head on," said James Thompson, campaigns director of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters.

"We cannot allow fear of change or even misinformation to cloud our judgment concerning one of the greatest challenges humanity currently faces," Thompson said.

Thompson was one of several League of Conservation Voters members to speak at the hearing. Rebecca Hilbert, another member who also represented New Jersey Wind Works, blasted critics of the project.

"Unfortunately, many folks saying 'not in my backyard' to ocean wind will likely lose those backyards to the sea if we don't switch to a clean energy future and combat the crisis," Hilbert said.

"Climate change is a bigger impact to those animals and wildlife than the turbines," Maria Valentin, cofounder of Atlantic Climate Justice Alliance, said.

William O'Hearn, executive vice president for external affairs for Offshore Power, LLC, said he believes we are facing a climate emergency. He urged BOEM to move as fast as responsibly possible.

"Climate change is by far the biggest threat to oceans and coastal communities," O'Hearn said.

Former Governor James Florio said that the project will contribute to New Jersey's ambitious renewable energy goals, as the state is poised to emerge as a leader in green energy.

There will be one more public hearing held virtually on July 26, and commenting remains open now through Aug. 23.

Additional information on the project and hearings can be found online through BOEM.