Grim pictures of beached whales have emerged from the New York and New Jersey coastlines. In the last two months, seven dead whales have washed ashore and residents are concerned.
New Jersey Congressman Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) is demanding an investigation to determine if offshore wind projects are at fault.
Van Drew, who sits on a House maritime transportation subcommittee, called for the cessation of “all offshore wind activity” until an investigation is conducted to determine whether such projects could be to blame for the excess whale deaths.
“Since offshore wind projects were being proposed by Governor Murphy to be built off the coast of New Jersey, I have been adamantly opposed to any activity moving forward until research disclosed the impacts these projects would have on our environment and the impacts on the fishing industry,” Van Drew said in a press release Friday.
“Ocean life is being put at risk as our Governor and President force through their Green New Deal policies, without giving full consideration to their real-world impacts,” the Republican lawmaker continued. “We have seen a complete lack of transparency from New Jersey’s leaders, as well as D.C. politicians who are ramming through these projects in order to push their climate agenda.”
“Once committees for the 118th Congress are finalized, I will be calling for congressional investigations into the matter,” he added. “I demand that all offshore wind activity be halted until it is properly determined what the effects of these activities are having on our marine life.”
Van Drew’s call for an investigation came after the most recent dead whale sighting occurred on a Jersey Shore beach. The humpback whale was the seventh dead whale discovered on a New Jersey beach in less than two months. Another humpback whale was discovered on a beach in Atlantic City, New Jersey, last month.