Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R.-N.J.): “Why no investigation of whale deaths?
A New Jersey congressman who is not any fan of what he calls “windmills” has been named Vice Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and has made it clear that he’ll use the place to press for a moratorium on offshore wind growth.
“Through this role, I will investigate the impacts offshore wind industrialization may have on our environment, maritime safety, and energy prosperity,” declared Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R.-N.J.) on being named to the vice chairmanship on February 2.
That identical day, Van Drew and Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.) made requires the rapid halt of all offshore wind exercise till correct investigations are held.
“It must be discovered if windmill construction is a contributing factor to the fourteen whales that have washed ashore along the east coast since December 1,” they mentioned a press release
“From the beginning, I have expressed my concerns and opposition with offshore windfarms moving forward without substantial evidence to show how it will affect our environment, our industries, and marine life,” mentioned Van Drew. “And now, attention is finally being drawn to the industrialization of our coastline because of these tragic whale deaths. Not a single concern has been raised by our president or environmentalists after another whale washed ashore this week, amounting to fourteen on the east coast in less than two months. Why has there not been an investigation? Why have Democrats been silent on the issue? We must investigate these deaths and get to the bottom if offshore wind activity is the cause; all offshore wind activity must end immediately until proper examinations and investigations are conducted.”
Subsequently, on February 17, Van Drew introduced that he will probably be holding a primary listening to in South Jersey on March sixteenth on offshore wind tasks being constructed off the coast of New Jersey.
He additionally mentioned that he will probably be introducing laws that locations a moratorium on all present tasks and laws that can prohibit all future tasks.
Attempts to hyperlink offshore wind growth operations to whale deaths alongside the Atlantic Coast should not supported by the science.
“Claims linking the offshore wind industry to these deaths are misleading and not supported by the facts and evidence.” mentioned National Ocean Industries President Erik Milito, in a current assertion. “As detailed in a recent report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Atlantic Coast has been experiencing an unusual whale mortality event since at least 2016, well before offshore wind development was initiated in these areas. The unfortunate reality of the current situation, according to NOAA, is that the leading causes of the whale deaths are entanglements and vessel strikes.”
