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Lawmakers seek pause in offshore wind energy amid whale deaths

September 23, 2024

By KAREN VELIE

House lawmakers are seeking a pause in offshore wind energy projects amid a string of whale deaths along the coasts of Maryland, New York, New Jersey and Maine. [FoxNews]

Last week, a deceased whale beached off Maryland’s coast, the second whale carcass discovered in the area in three weeks. In 2023, 37 humpback whales carcasses were discovered along the East Coast.

While a definite cause of death could not be determined, wind-energy proponents continue to argue the deaths have nothing to do with offshore wind farms.

Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.) hosted a public hearing in August in which experts testified about the danger installing wind turbines poses marine wildlife. Harris called for an end to offshore wind energy in Maryland.

The Government Accountability Office plans to investigate the impacts of offshore wind development after Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J) requested it look into the issues.

“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,” Smith said.

In May, a dead whale washed up on Pismo Beach amid a company’s use of sonar off the coast related to wind energy.

While Equinor conducted sonar mapping off the coast earlier this year, local fishermen reported catch numbers were down 67% to 70%.

On Feb. 29, two groups of commercial fishermen filed a legal challenge against the state’s wind energy plans, arguing the process violates their constitutional right to fish. The lawsuit asks the court to revoke survey permits and not to allow any new permits until proper mitigation and protections are in place.

 


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The California offshore wind project faces numerous barriers that make it appear unfeasible and challenging. The steep continental shelf along the coast necessitates floating wind turbines, a speculative and highly expensive technology. The current infrastructure, including shallow ports and low bridges, cannot accommodate these massive turbines. Additionally, the lack of U.S.-compliant ships for deployment, strict maritime regulations, and slow environmental permitting processes create significant delays. High costs—nearly triple those of onshore wind or solar—further reduce economic attractiveness, and it remains unclear whether scaling up will sufficiently lower costs. Moreover, the need for vast investments in ports, vessels, and transmission infrastructure raises doubts about the viability of meeting California’s ambitious wind energy goals by 2045.


Despite optimism, floating wind technology is largely unproven, with only a few small-scale projects worldwide. Without rapid development and breakthroughs, these technical, financial, and regulatory challenges could prevent the state from becoming a leader in this clean energy sector.


0

While they talk about public comment and ‘review’ Caltrans is building a roundabout next to 101 in Avila – the only one like it. It will easily accommodate large trucks carrying long loads that the intersection would not previously allow. A fifteen plus million dollar project while the 101 roadbed in the area is a shambles.

PG and E is reviving the sprawling Avila House – a mini Hearst Castle – above the Avila Bay Resort.

Everything seems to be moving forward for Offshore wind. The M B battery will be a reality too . They go together.

The tidal wave of money from venture capital for this is almost insurmountable. They simply want access to ratepayer and taxpayers. The insolvent government cannot refuse this infusion of money and power either. Utility bills have doubled in recent years and will continue to double every few years I fear. Soon they will be the next item on everybody’s budget after rent or mortgage payments.

All to have this stuff offshore instead of onshore.

Build more solar or onshore wind? Why when you can make so much more for a wild Dr Suess solution that will break the bank and produce very little in return. Bad for the coast? Bad for whales? How about financially utter unviable. No return on investment. Looks like a money laundry from here..


3

This is good news for the Whales because:

WLM – Whales Lives Matter.


22

I support the whales and avoiding the required rate increases to fund this porpoiseful disaster.


7

Adding wind and solar to our energy production is a good thing… trying to replace fossil fuels and nuclear generators with it just doesn’t work… you have to use everything we got with all of the energy hogs in the world today from computing to phones to electric stoves EV’s… I could go on and on…


-16

According to a recent article in Scientific American, there is no evidence that offshore wind farms kill whales. There are “no links whatsoever between the offshore wind development activity and especially the humpback whale mortalities. None. Zero,” says Duke University marine scientist Douglas Nowacek. As for me, I will always trust the scientists on this stuff and not the politicians.


Read for yourself.


https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/whales-are-dying-but-not-from-offshore-wind/#:~:text=But%20the%20current%20scientific%20consensus,University%20marine%20scientist%20Douglas%20Nowacek.


-45

It’s funny though, that while “scientists” do not blame the windmills themselves, they certainly confirm that the abnormal activity involved, DUE to the wind farms, has a lot to do with it.


So, which is it—the wind farms, or, the wind farms?


https://www.whoi.edu/oceanus/feature/are-offshore-wind-farms-harming-right-whales/#:~:text=Large%20numbers%20of%20whale%20deaths%20happened%20before%20wind,whales%E2%80%94a%20huge%20number%20given%20their%20small%20population%20size.


22

As the article you posted states, climate change is a far bigger culprit in whale deaths than any alleged causes from wind farms. Climate change is most obviously worse for the overall health of our oceans than windmills.


-27

I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this: Climate change is a HUGE lie. At least as far as it relates to the actions of humans. Please return to your happy, non-fear mongered life.


The proof is out there. Use your cognitive abilities and you will see that, while the climate does change, we have absolutely ZERO control over it.


Before you click that reply button with the latest “climate countdown to extinction” threats, know that I am well prepared to destroy every argument.


Follow the money.


-1

Wind farms kill birds. Many birds. Sonar testing kills whales. They are disoriented and drown. Period.


22

Fossil fuel power plants kill 35 times more birds per GWh of electricity produced than wind turbines. Never heard the right wing complain about that. And far more whales will suffer from climate change than from the effects of offshore wind farms.


-9

Well, if you don’t want wind energy —- then lets add at least two more units to Diablo Canyon, as well as additional nuclear power stations along the California coast, which can include major desalination facilities for regional water. A no-brainer! Just a reminder folks – there is a cost and risk to EVERYTHING we humans do, and it just so happens that the world is on a massive electrical energy kick from cell phones, to computers, to EVs, to increasing home electrical components, not to mention the huge amount of power required by our nation’s business and manufacturing. Solar panels don’t supply all of our needs. A HUGE amount of factors to consider when making long-term plans for power supplies.


35

Just what would be the point of swapping one problem for another? Not only is Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant in a very unsafe seismic area (13 faults!), which could easily move in concert and overwhelm the resistance capacity of the plant, there are still no waste storage facilities -anywhere- that can contain the plutonium waste that lasts, at maximum toxicity above anything naturally occurring on the planet, for a half-life of 1/4 MILLION YEARS. Why choose the most expensive answers? Who would you want to see becoming usuriously at our expense?


The best answer (using science) would be solar, with adequate storage capacity. If you are indeed following current science, several viable answers to that problem are in the works and most nearly there. The solar facility at Carrizo Plains is working fantastically, and wonder of wonders, blending in with the environment extremely well. Why make it a choice between problematic “solutions”, that just create other, potentially more serious and ridiculously expensive problems, when we can move forward, using the best science, rather than revert to the reasons we are exploring new solutions in the first place?


-35

Because there is NO MONEY to grift from sensible solutions. There is NO POWER to gain from common sense solutions. It’s all a fear based scam to make some richer and others happy with the illusion of control.


4

The local commercial fisherman know more about the ocean than these so called ” Wind Scientists” ever will. Support the people that pledge to stop this madness.


31

Many of the local electeds, including Gibson, Ortiz Legg, Addis, and others will tell you there’s nothing that you can do to stop offshore wind. But plain truth is that both Morro Bay and Port San Luis can say no to industrialized offshore wind ports in their respective harbors, and that will make it more difficult for the offshore winds to continue in federal waters. Don’t listen to people that say there’s nothing you can do here on the West Coast that it’s a done deal, quite the opposite.


Also, where there are local elections, make sure you know where the candidates stand on offshore wind! For example, in Port San Luis candidate, Richard Scangarelllo has vocally opposed offshore wind as well as stated that on his Facebook page. The other candidate Katy Lichtig has included nothing about offshore wind on her website… Radio silence.


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