February 12, 2023
Source: USA Today
Efforts to stop wind turbines off the Atlantic coast have a new mascot: the whale.
A dozen New Jersey beach town mayors and several other groups now argue offshore wind power activity could be the cause of recent whale deaths and wind projects must be stopped while scientists investigate.
But those most vocal about their concern have been silent in recent years as whale strandings surged along the East Coast. Wind energy supporters and whale advocates say these groups and politicians appear to be using whales as pawns.
A Jan. 30 letter signed by 12 New Jersey mayors and a congressman, Chris Smith, R-N.J., called for a moratorium on all offshore wind activity. Conservation advocates say the letter spreadsspeculation when scientists aren’t convinced whale deaths and offshore wind development are connected – and there’s good reason to believe they are not.
