{"id":368254,"date":"2025-03-02T10:56:46","date_gmt":"2025-03-02T09:56:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=368254"},"modified":"2025-03-02T10:56:48","modified_gmt":"2025-03-02T09:56:48","slug":"save-the-whales-campaigns-team-trump-boost-anti-wind-legal-action","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=368254","title":{"rendered":"Save the whales campaigns, Team Trump boost anti-wind legal action"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From CFACT<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Kevin Mooney<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whales migrating up and down the East Coast are getting at least a temporary reprieve from offshore wind. So are property owners, homeowners, business owners, tourists, and anyone with a stake in beach communities. The people of New Jersey, Virginia, and other states hope the Trump administration can end these expensive boondoggles once and for all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Offshore Wind On Its Last Legs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In New Jersey, the Atlantic Shores South offshore wind energy project<\/a> President Joe Biden\u2019s Interior Department had approved last year has come to a halt. The application of fresh legal pressure in combination with a new executive order<\/a> from President Donald Trump could prove to be the coup de grace<\/em> for the project. In Virginia, opponents of Dominion Energy\u2019s Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind<\/a> (CVOW) project are asking the Trump administration to reverse the Biden administration\u2019s approval for the project, which is already under way. The public utility\u2019s executives insist<\/a> the Virginia project will still move forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both states have gubernatorial races this year where the specter of higher energy costs associated with taxpayer subsidized green energy initiatives will tip the scales in the campaigns. Trump\u2019s executive order calls for the temporary withdrawal of new areas for offshore wind leasing and a halt on new project approvals pending a review of leasing and permitting practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Craig Rucker, the president and founder of the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow, or CFACT, <\/strong>told Restoration News in an interview that Trump\u2019s order creates new opportunities to press federal officials over violations of the Endangered Species Act. CFACT joined with the Heartland Institute and the National Legal and Policy Center to file suit<\/a> against the Biden administration in March 2024. The coalition argues that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), The Interior Department, and the Commerce Department violated the ESA when they approved the Dominion Energy Project. The suit also names Dominion Energy as a defendant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rucker would like to see Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears come out forcefully against Dominion\u2019s offshore wind project. Earle-Sears is running this year to succeed fellow Republican Glenn Youngkin as governor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Test Cases for Team Trump?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In New Jersey, a grassroots citizen activist group known as Save Long Beach Island (LBI) filed a federal lawsuit<\/a> in January against the Atlantic Shores project\u2014on top of state-level suits the group has filed. The Jersey litigation could serve as \u201ctest cases\u201d for how Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Attorney General Pam Bondi \u201cimplement the results of their leasing and permitting reviews,\u201d in the words of Bob Stern, an engineer and LBI resident, who heads up the group of citizen activists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stern, who previously served in the U.S. Department of Energy, and sees \u201cstrong justification\u201d for the new Trump administration to cancel existing leases and rescind project approvals. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, a term-limited Democrat who will leave office next January, has been a strong proponent of wind power and the Atlantic Shores project. The state\u2019s Republicans, including the current field of gubernatorial candidates, have been largely united in their opposition to Murphy\u2019s green energy plans including offshore wind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Youngkin, who is limited to one term under Virginia law, leaves office in January. He has actively opposed his state\u2019s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative<\/a> (RGGI), a multistate climate agreement. He has also resisted implementation of Virginia Clean Economy Act<\/a> (VCEA), a state-level version of the \u201cGreen New Deal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rucker views both programs as \u201ccostly green energy schemes\u201d that could present Earle-Sears with an electoral opportunity. CFACT\u2019s president recommends that Earle-Sears \u201cpick up the mantle from Youngkin\u201d on energy policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whales as a Migratory Species <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Both the New Jersey suit and the Virginia suit cite a \u201cSave the Whales\u201d perspective\u2014bringing in several studies showing how offshore wind power harms marine life. Save LBI has a section<\/a> of its website devoted entirely to updated research highlighting \u201cunprecedented spikes in whale deaths\u201d that coincide with vessel surveys for the Atlantic Shores project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CFACT has called attention to statistical evidence<\/a> showing that offshore wind sonar surveys the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)  first authorized in 2016 are responsible for whale deaths. After Joe Biden took control of NOAA, they did a 180, releasing an analysis<\/a> concluding that there are \u201cno known links between large whale deaths and ongoing offshore wind activities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The \u201cbiological opinion\u201d the NMFS issues is flawed, Rucker argues, because it only looked at each wind project individually rather than taking \u201ca more comprehensive approach\u201d that accounted for the whales\u2019 migratory pattern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rucker expressed dismay that some of the larger environmental groups such as the Sierra Club and the Natural Resources Defense Council have not come out against offshore wind plans that can damage natural habitats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no way an environmental group should be in favor of offshore wind,\u201d Rucker said. \u201cThey are always opposed to offshore oil drilling which involves only speculative harm. But here we actually see dead whales washing up on beaches in Virginia and other places along the East Coast and this is happening in increased numbers. But all we hear from the environmental groups is crickets.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CFACT has successfully petitioned the Trump Justice Department to stay the case. This way defendants could adopt a more intensive review of the permits the Biden administration awarded to Dominion. CFACT and Trump\u2019s Interior Department are expected to submit additional filings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rucker is particularly concerned about the North Atlantic right whale population, which is listed as endangered. Only 350 remain\u2014with only about 70 females capable of producing new offspring, according to court records in the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhales are a migratory species meaning they are not just staying off the coast of Virginia,\u201d Rucker explained. \u201cThe population will be impacted by projects up and down the East Coast whether it\u2019s in New Jersey, Maryland, Rhode Island, Massachusetts or other states. That\u2019s the problem with how the feds operated under Biden. They needed to look at the cumulative effect on the whale population up and down the coast.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CFACT\u2019s goal is to have Dominion cease construction of the Virginia Offshore Wind Project, which would consist of 176 wind turbines located 25 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach. Rucker points out that each wind tower will be taller than the Washington Monument with turbine blades longer than a football field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A solution may be in order compliments of Save LBI. The New Jersey group plans to petition NOAA to designate a migration corridor for the right whale since it involves a critical habitat vital to the survival of the species. If NOAA complies, the order would exclude wind turbines would in this area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Atlantic Shores project envisioned 200 wind turbines positioned as close as 8.7 miles off the coast of LBI, Brigantine, and Atlantic City. Save LBI has visual displays<\/a> showing that the proposed windmills, which could reach up to 1046 feet tall, would be taller than the Washington Monument, the Statute of Liberty, and rival the size of some skyscrapers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the litigation is focused on federal environmental laws, SAVE LBI and CFACT have also called attention to the anticipated economic fallout from offshore wind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Higher Prices, Economic Losses\u2014Who Wins with Wind?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Save LBI posted a study<\/a> from Tourism Economics, attached to Oxford University, that estimates \u201creduced visitor spending\u201d at the Jersey Shore would generate $668 million in economic losses throughout Ocean County, N.J. In similar fashion, CFACT has repeatedly warned<\/a> Virginia residents about the high costs of wind energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many action items Save LBI has recommended\u2014a proposal to remove all the investment tax credits in Biden\u2019s Inflation Reduction Act<\/a> (IRA) so that green energy companies cannot profit at taxpayer expense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gubernatorial candidates in both states could be asked if they support this proposal. The IRA is loaded<\/a> with multibillionaire grants such as the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund that have taxpayers on the hook. SAVE LBI\u2019s proposal to remove investment tax credits from the IRA legislation is designed to prevent companies taking advantage of perverse incentives. As New Jersey and Virginia voters become more attuned to their elections, they become more likely to reject unsustainable green energy projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article originally appeared at Restoration News<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Whales migrating up and down the East Coast are getting at least a temporary reprieve from offshore wind. So are property owners, homeowners, business owners, tourists, and anyone with a stake in beach communities. The people of New Jersey, Virginia, and other states hope the Trump administration can end these expensive boondoggles once and for 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This activity off our coast is only going to dramatically increase as they begin pile-driving and installing these wind turbines. So if this is having an effect on our marine mammals now, it could\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"Climate change\"","block_context":{"text":"Climate change","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=climate-change"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/0ad_194203865.webp?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/0ad_194203865.webp?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/0ad_194203865.webp?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/0ad_194203865.webp?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/0ad_194203865.webp?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":349936,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=349936","url_meta":{"origin":368254,"position":4},"title":"New Report Suggests \u201cWhale Psychiatrist\u201d Trump May be Right About Wind Farms and Whales","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"02\/11\/2024","format":false,"excerpt":"US Bureau of Ocean Management report says whales, dolphins, birds and bats can all be injured by wind turbine construction, and offshore fishing harmed.","rel":"","context":"In \"A whale psychiatrist\"","block_context":{"text":"A whale psychiatrist","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=a-whale-psychiatrist"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/0Gay_UEeaAAA3FN9.jpeg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/0Gay_UEeaAAA3FN9.jpeg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/0Gay_UEeaAAA3FN9.jpeg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/0Gay_UEeaAAA3FN9.jpeg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":276248,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=276248","url_meta":{"origin":368254,"position":5},"title":"The Wind Industry\u2019s Ignored Consequences: Whales in Peril","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"29\/08\/2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Michael Shellenberger\u00a0has an article in the New York Post titled: New documentary \u2018proves\u2019 building offshore wind farms does kill whales","rel":"","context":"In \"Dead dolphins\"","block_context":{"text":"Dead dolphins","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=dead-dolphins"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-1069.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-1069.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-1069.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-1069.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-1069.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/368254","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/121246920"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=368254"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/368254\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":368259,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/368254\/revisions\/368259"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/368257"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=368254"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=368254"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=368254"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}