An independent congressional watchdog organization has agreed to a congressman’s request for an investigation into the impact of offshore wind development in New Jersey amid a surge in marine wildlife deaths.
Rep. Chris Smith issued statement on June 15 that the Government Accountability Office (GAO)—a nonpartisan agency that conducts investigations for Congress—will be examining how the construction of coastal wind turbines is affecting the environment and the fishing industry, as well as military operations and navigational safety.
“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 said. “It is absolutely critical that New Jersey residents understand all the impacts of these offshore wind projects … before it’s too late.”…