Beach Haven council wants wind farm plans put on hold
The SandPaper|Eric Englund|Feb 15, 2023
The Beach Haven Borough Council has joined other area communities in passing a resolution calling for an “immediate moratorium on offshore wind development pending a thorough investigation into the unprecedented deaths of whales.” [T]he resolution notes that the marine mammal population had seen the “tragic deaths” of eight whales on the coasts stretching from New York to New Jersey in a brief period of time, and that the Beach Haven community “is heartbroken over the latest young whale to wash ashore.”
The Beach Haven Borough Council has joined other area communities in passing a resolution calling for an “immediate moratorium on offshore wind development pending a thorough investigation into the unprecedented deaths of whales.” [T]he resolution notes that the marine mammal population had seen the “tragic deaths” of eight whales on the coasts stretching from New York to New Jersey in a brief period of time, and that the Beach Haven community “is heartbroken over the latest young whale to wash ashore.”
The Beach Haven Borough Council has joined other area communities in passing a resolution calling for an “immediate moratorium on offshore wind development pending a thorough investigation into the unprecedented deaths of whales.”
Adopted at the Monday night meeting, the resolution notes that the marine mammal population had seen the “tragic deaths” of eight whales on the coasts stretching from New York to New Jersey in a brief period of time, and that the Beach Haven community “is heartbroken over the latest young whale to wash ashore.”
“The Beach Haven community supports clean energy programs, but seeks to first fully understand the cause of these tragic deaths and what can be done to prevent future losses,” the resolution said. “United …
... more [truncated due to possible copyright]The Beach Haven Borough Council has joined other area communities in passing a resolution calling for an “immediate moratorium on offshore wind development pending a thorough investigation into the unprecedented deaths of whales.”
Adopted at the Monday night meeting, the resolution notes that the marine mammal population had seen the “tragic deaths” of eight whales on the coasts stretching from New York to New Jersey in a brief period of time, and that the Beach Haven community “is heartbroken over the latest young whale to wash ashore.”
“The Beach Haven community supports clean energy programs, but seeks to first fully understand the cause of these tragic deaths and what can be done to prevent future losses,” the resolution said. “United States Congressman Jeff Van Drew has expressed his opposition to moving forward with offshore wind projects pending further research of the disclosed impacts of such projects on the environment and fishing industry.”
Borough council members believe “offshore activity should be suspended pending further research as to the potential impact such activity has on whales and other marine life,” the resolution said.
Mayor Nancy Davis recused herself from the matter due to her association with Stockton University. The university is in partnership with Ocean Wind 1, looking to build a wind farm off the coast of South Jersey to provide clean energy to 500,000 homes in the state.
In pushing for the resolution’s passage, Councilwoman Colleen Lambert said that while there is no proof that deaths were linked to development of a major proposed offshore wind farm, “There also is no proof that it isn’t.”
Councilman Michael Battista voted against the resolution, saying “more research needs to be done.”