Image: GAO
According to Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has formally agreed to launch an investigation into the impacts of New Jersey offshore wind growth on the surroundings, the fishing business, navy operations, navigational security and extra.
“This aggressive, independent investigation into the ocean-altering impacts of the 3,400 offshore wind turbines slated for the Jersey Shore will help address the wide-ranging questions and concerns that the Biden Administration and Governor Murphy continue to dismiss as they plow full steam ahead with this unprecedented offshore wind industrialization of our shore,” Smith mentioned. “It is absolutely critical that New Jersey residents understand all the impacts of these offshore wind projects—which will permanently transform our marine environment and seascape and could put our tourism-drive economy at grave risk—before it’s too late.”
The GAO examine—which was requested by Smith in a May 15 letter with House Natural Resources Committee Chair Bruce Westerman (R-Ariz), Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) and Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD)—parallels the investigation required by an amendment provided by Smith that handed the House of Representatives as a part of the Lower Energy Costs Act (HR 1) in late March.
It stays to be seen whether or not the GAO examine will uncover something not addressed in BOEM’s exhaustive review process of offshore wind developments.
