- Trump administration infighting is holding up approval of the first major U.S. offshore wind energy project, with agencies sparring over whether the proposal does enough to protect the fishing industry, according to interviews and agency documents.
How the problem is resolved will shape the regulatory blueprint for a growing list of offshore wind developers seeking to tap in to rising U.S. demand for renewable energy, but who face objections from fishermen worried the turbines will affect commercial species or make fishing more difficult. But a federal environmental study crucial to its permitting has been repeatedly delayed since April, according to published government timelines, without any public explanation from Trump administration officials. Vineyard Wind has said the delays could threaten the project’s viability.
Getting the support allows the process to move more quickly, but failing to get it can force further analysis.In an April 16 letter to BOEM, Michael Pentony, regional administrator for NOAA Fisheries’ Greater Atlantic office, said his agency could not support the environmental permit for Vineyard Wind because the project failed to fully address the concerns of the fishing industry.
In a written response to Pentony, seen by Reuters, BOEM Chief Environmental Officer William Brown said the fishing industry’s concerns “do not rise to the level that would justify the likely extensive project delays and potential failure of the project.”
The US has become a nation that literally and figuratively shoots itself in the foot.
Meanwhile they allow the OIL DRILLING? What do the FISH who are being murdered have to say about all of this? Develop Lab grown headless fish biotech
nicholagroom Tell the fishing industry not to worry about the wind farms as the pollution is changing the pH of the oceans and warming them to...change is coming...soon all crabs will be soft shell crabs
nicholagroom Conundrum for sure. I support wind energy projects, but the investors only seem 2 care about starting the project in time to get that federal tax credit. No compromises at all? Seems they don't give a hoot about destroying/damaging livelihoods of fishermen & their families there
nicholagroom NextEra CEO: Offshore wind is 'terrible energy policy' via UtilityDive FYI: NextEra is the world's largest wind and solar power company. He should know.