Endangered whales threaten Biden-approved New Jersey offshore wind project

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🗞️ Driving the news: The Biden administration has approved the Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind project off New Jersey, but the environmental group Save Long Beach Island threatens to file a lawsuit, citing risks to the endangered North Atlantic right whale's migration routes

🔭 The context: The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) acknowledged that construction noise could disrupt the whale’s behavior but introduced mitigation strategies like noise impact minimization and shutdown zones
• However, Save LBI argues these measures are insufficient and that larger turbines produce higher noise levels than those reported by BOEM

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: With fewer than 400 North Atlantic right whales left, disruptions from wind turbine construction could endanger their survival, raising concerns about balancing renewable energy development with wildlife protection

⏭️ What's next: BOEM and NOAA have 60 days to respond to Save LBI's concerns; if unresolved, a lawsuit may follow to block the project’s construction

💬 One quote: “The operation of those turbines will obstruct the essential migration of the right whale... jeopardizing the whale’s existence” — Bob Stern, Save LBI

📈 One stat: The Atlantic Shores project will feature 200 turbines located just 9 miles off the New Jersey coast

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