Approved commercial-scale wind farm offshore New Jersey

Why it matters: It is the latest in Biden’s wind energy plan

The Ocean Wind 1 project represents an important step in President Biden’s goal of generating 30,000 megawatts from offshore wind turbines in coastal waters across the country by 2030.

In addition to the turbines, the approval provides for the construction of no less than three offshore substations, which will feed the electricity produced by the floating turbines, in the rental area.

Elizabeth Klein, BOEM’s director, called the approval “another important step forward for the offshore wind industry in the United States”.

The administration has already approved a 62-turbine facility planned for the waters off Martha’s Vineyard., Mass., known as Vineyard Wind. It also approved South Fork Wind, a 12-turbine project off the coast of Rhode Island that will provide power to Long Island, NY

But there are obstacles. Landowners and fishing groups have filed a lawsuit to shut down the Vineyard Wind project, arguing that the government has not adequately studied the impact the wind farm could have on local fishermen or on the endangered North American right whale.

In New Jersey, three groups recently sued the state to try to stop the Ocean Wind 1 project, arguing that the wind turbines will harm marine life and violate New Jersey’s coastal management rules.

In approving Ocean Wind 1, the Biden administration defended the project from environmental attacks, saying the company plans to impose an “expanded range” of measures to protect marine life, including sea turtles and Atlantic sturgeon.

What to know: Misinformation about offshore wind.

Since January, 25 whales have stranded or died along the East Coast, fueling arguments from clean energy opponents that seismic studies executed for offshore wind projects are to blame. Scientists say there is no evidence of a connection and suspect other factors, including climate change. Marine species are increasingly adapting to ocean warming by migrating to new areas, including closer to the coast, where they are more vulnerable to ship strikes and entanglement in fishing gear.

“There are no known links between recent large whale deaths and ongoing offshore wind studies,” the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported on its website.

What’s next: Construction will start soon.

Federal approval was the final regulatory step for Ocean Wind 1, which can now begin construction. Orsted expects to be operational in late 2024 or early 2025.