Asbury Park Only New Jersey Location For In Person Public Comments On LBI Off Shore Wind Project
According to a local report from the Asbury Park Press, the local comment session for the offshore wind energy project off the coast of Long Branch is scheduled for just a few hours in early April. The public comments on the project will be accepted by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) in person.
Which Off Shore Energy Project Is This?
There’s at least two off shore wind energy projects currently in the works for the ocean off the coast of the New Jersey shore. A total of 4 rounds of bid acceptance have been approved. The most recent development is a project called, “Empire Wind 1 and 2”. That project is roughly 19 miles off the coast of Long Branch, 14 miles off the southern coast of Long Island. Important to note that the project that is currently accepting public comment is not Empire Wind 1 and 2.
The public comment period currently announced is for the Atlantic Shores project. If eventually built, Atlantic Shores will have 157 wind turbines in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of New Jersey. The project will also include other manmade structures essential to the operation of the project. Those things include weather buoys and transmission lines to bring the generated power on shore. According to the plan, the closest that the wind turbines will be located is roughly 8 miles off the coast of New Jersey. The project will stretch from Barnegat to Atlantic City. If all goes to their plan, Atlantic Shores is expected to provide power for 700,000 homes.
Public Comment
Oh, the public has a lot to say about this project. The controversy surrounding the off shore wind energy project swirls almost constantly on social media. Some point to the need to harness renewable energy that doesn’t contribute to climate change. Others point to the preliminary sonar research for the project as the cause for marine life deaths. Yet others see those two issues as distinct issues with other causes and effects. All arguments are likely to be represented at the public meetings for the project.
There is only one local comment session for the offshore wind energy project for concerned citizens to voice their opinion in person. That opportunity is April 9th from 5pm to 9pm at the Berkeley Hotel in Asbury Park. There are also two opportunities to comment virtually. Information on commenting virtually can be found here.
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