Support in New Jersey for building wind turbines off the coast has plummeted over the past four years, especially in shore towns, according to a recent Stockton University Poll.
The results reflect a drop of 30 percentage points from the findings of a September 2019 Stockton Poll that asked an identical question.
In 2019, 80% of adult New Jersey residents supported offshore wind farms. Wind companies enjoyed mainly positive press. Local towns and so-called ‘green’ orgs remained quiet after being recipient of wind-backed awards and grants.
For past few years, Orsted accused of ‘buying’ support.
Support in New Jersey for Offshore Wind Farms Drops, Hughes Center Poll Finds
The main reasons for opposition to offshore turbines: harm to sea life and obstructed ocean views.
We must destroy the marine environment, in order to save it?
The Industrialization of Jersey Coastal Waters.
In July, the U.S. Interior Department approved construction and operation of 98 wind turbines and three offshore substations in the Ocean Wind 1 project off the New Jersey coast.
“When the concept of wind farms moved from abstract policy considerations to preparing for actual construction, many residents said, ‘Not in my backyard, or at least not off my beach,’” said John Froonjian, director of the Hughes Center.
“That’s especially true along the coast, where wind farms have been the focus of protests and legislative election campaigns,” he said.
- Few local job opportunities.
- Higher home energy costs.
- Reduced reliability of electric power.
- Tax breaks to foreign companies.
- Reliance on foreign-owned energy.
- Storage batteries not ready for prime time.
- Destruction of offshore seabed.
71% said experimental turbines would negatively affect ocean views and marine life.
“On every question, residents of shore communities were more negative about wind energy than people living elsewhere in New Jersey,” said Alyssa Maurice, Hughes Center research associate.
Wind turbines in the ocean are an environmental disaster. Sonar surveys are already killing large sea mammals. When will people realize the amount of damage they do far outweighs the company narrative and political rhetoric. These entities are lining their pockets as they destroy our ocean.