Category: whale deaths

IN-DEPTH: Wind Energy Ocean Industrialization Undermines Ecosystem

A natural resource largely untouched by development now faces colossal industrialization of wind energy along the east coast. Clean-ocean advocates monitoring its expansion warn that this race to construction undermines an ecosystem that will lead to catastrophic consequences. “They’re moving at such a reckless pace without any real good science or due diligence,” said Clean…


Federal Watchdogs to Investigate Offshore Wind Turbines Amid Surge in Marine Wildlife Deaths

An independent congressional watchdog organization has agreed to a congressman’s request for an investigation into the impact of offshore wind development in New Jersey amid a surge in marine wildlife deaths. Rep. Chris Smith issued statement on June 15 that the Government Accountability Office (GAO)—a nonpartisan agency that conducts investigations for Congress—will be examining how…


Federal Study Raises Alarms About Offshore Wind Power’s Impacts on Fishing Industry and Marine Life

A comprehensive report compiled by two federal agencies and the commercial fishing industry raises red flags about the potential impact of Offshore Wind Power (OSW) projects on fishing and the marine environment. Prepared by the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), and the Responsible Offshore Development Alliance—a coalition…


Big Wind Projects Moving Forward Despite Insufficient Research on Threat to Marine Life, Biden Admin Study Finds

A comprehensive report compiled by two federal agencies and the commercial fishing industry raises red flags about the potential impact of Offshore Wind Power (OSW) projects on fishing and the marine environment. Prepared by the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), and the Responsible Offshore Development Alliance—a coalition…


Resistance to Offshore Wind Is Growing on US Coasts

A growing chorus of interest groups is calling for a pause in offshore wind activities to allow further assessment of the sector’s impacts on the marine ecosystem. Congressman Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey, a Republican, introduced a congressional resolution on March 21 to halt work on east-coast offshore wind projects until investigations into its…


Oceanic Administration’s Fisheries Expert Raised Red Flags About Offshore Turbines

A critical letter from a fisheries expert in May 2022 raised serious red flags about the siting of offshore wind turbines in southern New England waters. Authored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries’ Chief of Protected Species Dr. Sean Hayes, the letter revealed the risks that offshore wind farms pose to the marine…


Calls to Halt Atlantic Offshore Wind Projects Grow Louder as Whale Deaths Continue

Three Republican congressmen and more than a dozen mayors whose coastal districts are near offshore wind energy sites are calling on the Biden administration to suspend offshore wind projects until a thorough investigation into a recent spate of whale deaths rules them out as the cause. Since Dec. 1, 2022, at least 23 whales have…