Legal challenges by fishing groups to Vineyard Wind rejected
CommonWealth Magazine|Bruce Mohl|October 13, 2023
US District Court Judge Indira Talwani granted summary judgment to Vineyard Wind and various agencies within the US Interior Department and denied summary judgments sought by a group of squid fishing companies and an association representing fishermen called the Responsible Offshore Development Alliance.
US District Court Judge Indira Talwani granted summary judgment to Vineyard Wind and various agencies within the US Interior Department and denied summary judgments sought by a group of squid fishing companies and an association representing fishermen called the Responsible Offshore Development Alliance.
Judge grants summary judgment to US agencies, wind farm
A federal judge ruled against two fishing groups who were challenging federal environmental approvals granted to Vineyard Wind for the construction of its wind farm off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard.
US District Court Judge Indira Talwani granted summary judgment to Vineyard Wind and various agencies within the US Interior Department and denied summary judgments sought by a group of squid fishing companies and an association representing fishermen called the Responsible Offshore Development Alliance.
“Plaintiffs have not shown that Defendants acted arbitrarily, capriciously, or otherwise unlawfully,” Talwani said in her judgment, which was issued Thursday. Talwani had previously …
... more [truncated due to possible copyright]Judge grants summary judgment to US agencies, wind farm
A federal judge ruled against two fishing groups who were challenging federal environmental approvals granted to Vineyard Wind for the construction of its wind farm off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard.
US District Court Judge Indira Talwani granted summary judgment to Vineyard Wind and various agencies within the US Interior Department and denied summary judgments sought by a group of squid fishing companies and an association representing fishermen called the Responsible Offshore Development Alliance.
“Plaintiffs have not shown that Defendants acted arbitrarily, capriciously, or otherwise unlawfully,” Talwani said in her judgment, which was issued Thursday. Talwani had previously denied motions by the two groups seeking injunctions to halt the construction of the wind farm, which is scheduled to start producing electricity soon.
Talwani previously rejected two other challenges to the wind farm – by Nantucket Residents Against Turbines, or ACKRATs, and Thomas Melone, a solar developer who owns a home in Edgartown.
Vineyard Wind, which is being developed by Avangrid and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, is installing 62 turbines each set a mile apart from each other.
“We’re pleased the court has acknowledged the rigorous and thorough administrative review that our project underwent over the last many years,” said a Vineyard Wind spokesman in a statement.