A rendering depicts the massive size of the offshore wind turbines for the proposed Ocean Wind 1 project. (Rendering courtesy of Cape May County)
Whether a visitor, resident, young or old, there is a commonality when it comes to the campaign to stop offshore wind energy from coming to the Jersey Shore, she said.
“It is a community of people who come together and are trying to enjoy their lives,” Serowatka noted. “There are so many aspects of this project that are detrimental to the people living here, visiting the shore and to the ocean and marine life.”
Gov. Phil Murphy, a strong supporter of offshore wind technology, wants New Jersey to become a leader in green energy. So far, New Jersey has approved three offshore wind farms and is looking to add more. Murphy’s goal is to have offshore wind farms producing 11,000 megawatts of power in New Jersey by 2040.
Ocean Wind 1 would be the first offshore wind farm in the state and is part of Murphy’s broader strategy to make New Jersey a national leader in renewable energy.
Critics consider the project an existential threat to the shore’s marine life, migratory birds, tourism industry and commercial fishing operations. They also fear that the towering wind turbines will create a visual blight when viewed from land.
“What I’ve been advocating for is a pause on the building of offshore wind turbines on our shores until we have definitive evidence that it won’t harm our precious marine life,” state Assemblyman Antwan McClellan said. “Countless studies have highlighted the potential risks posed by the construction of wind turbines in our oceans.”
The project faces intense opposition and legal challenges from Ocean City and Cape May County as it moves through the state and federal regulatory process.
“I believe it is very important that we all continue to work together to use every means available for us to block the windmills,” said Cape May County Board of Commissioners Director Leonard Desiderio, who also serves as mayor of Sea Isle City.
Offshore wind opponents march across the Ninth Street Bridge in Ocean City during a protest in May.
In a setback to opponents, the U.S. Department of Interior's Bureau of Energy Management gave its approval last week, clearing the way for Orsted to begin construction this fall with a completion date in 2024, according to Orsted’s timetable.
“We don’t have enough information on the benefits or non-benefits -- most of all, the effects on the ocean,” Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian said. “It’s moving way too fast and there will be an expense to New Jersey taxpayers, including higher electricity bills.”
Opponents also object to millions of dollars being provided by the state and a billion dollars from the federal government in tax subsidies to a foreign company to help underwrite the cost of developing the wind farm.
“The simple fact is offshore wind farms don’t make economic sense to build without huge government subsidies at the expense of taxpayers or higher bills for utility customers,” state Sen. Michael Testa said.
Opponents of the proposed offshore wind farm, from community leaders to local, county and state lawmakers, had this to say:
State Sen. Michael Testa, R-1st:
The simple fact is offshore wind farms don't make economic sense to build without huge government subsidies at the expense of taxpayers or higher bills for utility customers. We held a virtual hearing a few months ago where we heard significant concerns about the many negative impacts the new wind farms will have on Jersey Shore tourism, commercial and recreational fishing, and marine life, including whales and dolphins. It doesn't seem like the Murphy or Biden administrations have cared to consider those negative impacts in their rush to advance their extreme green energy plans.
State Assemblyman Antwan McClellan, R-1st:
What I’ve been advocating for is a pause on the building of offshore wind turbines on our shores until we have definitive evidence that it won't harm our precious marine life. Countless studies have highlighted the potential risks posed by the construction of wind turbines in our oceans. It is imperative that we carefully assess the potential negative impact on marine life and coastal communities. I am opposed to the rushed decision-making regarding this project, which stands to jeopardize thousands of jobs and cause irreparable harm to our economy. We cannot afford to cover our beautiful coastline with towering wind turbines without ensuring their safety and obtaining undeniable proof that it won’t harm marine life and shore economies.
Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian:
We don’t have enough information on the benefits or non-benefits -- most of all, the effects on the ocean. It’s moving way too fast and there will be an expense to New Jersey taxpayers, including higher electricity bills.
Cape May County Board of Commissioners Director and Sea Isle City Mayor Leonard Desiderio:
I believe it’s very important that we all continue to work together to use every means available to us to work to block the windmills. The anti-wind protest is another way of letting all know what is going to transpire in the push to build nearly 100 of these 1,000-foot turbines off our beautiful coast.
We still have many questions that have been ignored by the foreign-owned Orsted company. The state of New Jersey, with the help of the Legislature, recently passed legislation in which under an agreement that the federal government had with Orsted that would give one billion dollars back to New Jersey ratepayers. The legislation that was passed allowed Orsted to keep the billion dollars and not pass it on.
This legislation was passed in five days. Myself and other elected officials have been asking for help with juvenile issues for nearly three years and we can’t even get it into a committee in the Legislature. In five days, a bill was introduced, passed and signed into law with some arm-twisting. We will continue the fight for the people and for our county. We asked all to join and say no to the wind turbines!
Ocean City Councilman Terry Crowley Jr.:
The process used by the state of New Jersey in fast-tracking these windmills is beyond comprehension. The environmental impact will be immediate and there will be unforeseen consequences and devastation.
These windmills are not green. They require petroleum-based lubrication and rare earth mineral-based batteries that are mined under questionable ethical and environmental methods. We owe it to future generations of people and wildlife to halt this process.
Orsted is not an American company. The state is giving subsidies that were intended for the people of New Jersey to this foreign company – a company that will be nowhere to be found when these structures are decommissioned in the future. We the people of New Jersey will pay for that.
I did not vote for the current president or governor. I hope that people will remember this sham of a process in the next election cycle. Now is the time for people to get involved and contact your elected officials at every level of government to voice your opposition.
Ocean City resident Allison Wisnefski:Date: 7/15/23
Time: 11:00
Where: 14th Street Beach in Ocean City
