ATLANTIC CITY (N.J.New Jersey officials will commission studies to examine the environmental impacts of offshore wind energy projects upon animals as large and small as whales, and clams.
This research addresses a major concern that has been raised by both opponents and supporters of the new industry. The studies provide baseline data that can be used to assess the ecological impacts of wind farm construction and operation.
The Board of Public Utilities and the state Department of Environmental Protection announced Wednesday that they will fund $3.4 million in projects to study conditions at commercially valuable clambeds that will overlap with windturbine farms and to study the topography of ocean floor, including sunlight conditions, temperature, and carbon dioxide levels.
The state will also join Connecticut, Maryland and Massachusetts in the Regional Wildlife Science Entity. This entity coordinates regional monitoring and research on wildlife that supports the advancement of offshore wind power development that is environmentally responsible and economically efficient.
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The cost of the three initiatives is more than $3.4 million. The Offshore Wind Research & Monitoring Initiative will provide the money. It is managed by the DEP, BPU, and funded by money donated by Orsteds Ocean Wind II and Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind. According to the state estimates, the companies have contributed $26 million towards ecological research and monitoring offshore wind operations.
“As the stewards of our vibrant coast and ocean resources, my colleagues at the Department of Environmental Protection are dedicated to the continual pursuit of research and monitoring initiatives to help us ensure the responsible development of offshore winds facilities and their long-term operation and maintenance,” said Shawn LaTourette.
Joseph Fiordaliso, President of BPU, stated that the research will include gathering critical baseline data about whales and their movements along New Jersey’s coastline.
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To better understand the movements, behaviors, and endangered species of whales, the program will solicit proposals to establish passive acoustic monitoring. North Atlantic Right WhaleIn the waters off New Jersey’s coast.
This project is part of a larger effort that involves state, regional and federal entities to protect marine mammals from offshore wind farms being developed along the eastern coast.
Atlantic Shores lease area is located approximately 10 miles from the southern New Jersey coastline and has the potential for powering nearly 1 million homes. Orsteds Ocean Wind lease is located approximately 15 miles from southern New Jersey’s coast and has the potential for powering almost half a millennium homes.
Opponents of offshore wind often voice concerns about the fact that little is known about the effects of the turbines and the buried undersea transmission cables on the environment.
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New Jersey is rapidly becoming an important hub for the fast-growing offshore Wind industry. Six companies bid $4.37billion for the right of building wind energy projects on New Jersey’s ocean floor. Largest ever such auction.
This is in addition three offshore wind project already approved by New Jersey regulators.
The state indicated that it will soon issue an invitation for proposals from entities interested to carry out the research.
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