Fishing Industry Battles Wind Project Threatening Livelihoods
Submitted by MAGA
Posted 11 hours ago
**Lawsuit Challenges Offshore Wind Project’s Impact on Fishing Industry**
A growing concern for the livelihoods of commercial fishermen has emerged as the fishing industry files a lawsuit against the Department of the Interior (DOI) over its approval of the Vineyard Wind project.
This offshore wind farm, which began supplying electricity to the grid in early 2024, has already encountered significant operational issues, including a catastrophic blade failure that resulted in debris littering the beaches of Nantucket.
Fishermen argue that the project not only threatens their livelihoods but also the marine environment. The Texas Public Policy Foundation has stepped in to support six commercial fishing companies claiming that the DOI failed to uphold federal laws designed to protect impacted stakeholders.
With 33 separate claims, the lawsuit contends that proper environmental assessments were not conducted, nor was there adequate opportunity for public comment before the wind farm was sanctioned. According to the allegations, the federal government disregarded the extensive ramifications for commercial fishing operations, an industry already deemed the deadliest job in the country.
Meghan Lapp, a spokesperson for Seafreeze Ltd., the lead plaintiff, cites grave safety concerns associated with the underwater infrastructure of wind turbines and the potential for severe accidents while fishing. These underwater cables pose a high risk of entanglement, which can lead to disastrous outcomes for the crews operating the vessels.
The ramifications of the Vineyard Wind project extend beyond safety. The underwater installations are set to disrupt squid habitats, which are critical to the fishing industry and the economy it supports. Areas traditionally rich in squid are now at risk of becoming no-go zones for fishing operations due to the installation of these wind turbines. Lapp emphasizes that fishermen cannot simply relocate their operations, as fish populations are not evenly distributed across the ocean.
In a notable twist, the industry’s case is bolstered by recent legal victories that have diminished the deference granted to federal agencies regarding their interpretations of laws. This shift may provide a more rigorous judicial examination of whether the DOI acted within legal parameters when it greenlit the Vineyard Wind project.
The lawsuit represents a significant challenge to the Biden administration's broader plan to transition to renewable energy and develop additional offshore wind projects. Yet, it underscores the importance of striking a balance between ambitious energy goals and the practical realities facing industries and communities that depend on marine resources.
As the fishing industry fights for its survival, many await the court's ruling on whether the wind turbines will be allowed to continue construction in areas essential for commercial fishing.
Sources:
breitbart.com
twitchy.com
justthenews.com
A growing concern for the livelihoods of commercial fishermen has emerged as the fishing industry files a lawsuit against the Department of the Interior (DOI) over its approval of the Vineyard Wind project.
This offshore wind farm, which began supplying electricity to the grid in early 2024, has already encountered significant operational issues, including a catastrophic blade failure that resulted in debris littering the beaches of Nantucket.
Fishermen argue that the project not only threatens their livelihoods but also the marine environment. The Texas Public Policy Foundation has stepped in to support six commercial fishing companies claiming that the DOI failed to uphold federal laws designed to protect impacted stakeholders.
With 33 separate claims, the lawsuit contends that proper environmental assessments were not conducted, nor was there adequate opportunity for public comment before the wind farm was sanctioned. According to the allegations, the federal government disregarded the extensive ramifications for commercial fishing operations, an industry already deemed the deadliest job in the country.
Meghan Lapp, a spokesperson for Seafreeze Ltd., the lead plaintiff, cites grave safety concerns associated with the underwater infrastructure of wind turbines and the potential for severe accidents while fishing. These underwater cables pose a high risk of entanglement, which can lead to disastrous outcomes for the crews operating the vessels.
The ramifications of the Vineyard Wind project extend beyond safety. The underwater installations are set to disrupt squid habitats, which are critical to the fishing industry and the economy it supports. Areas traditionally rich in squid are now at risk of becoming no-go zones for fishing operations due to the installation of these wind turbines. Lapp emphasizes that fishermen cannot simply relocate their operations, as fish populations are not evenly distributed across the ocean.
In a notable twist, the industry’s case is bolstered by recent legal victories that have diminished the deference granted to federal agencies regarding their interpretations of laws. This shift may provide a more rigorous judicial examination of whether the DOI acted within legal parameters when it greenlit the Vineyard Wind project.
The lawsuit represents a significant challenge to the Biden administration's broader plan to transition to renewable energy and develop additional offshore wind projects. Yet, it underscores the importance of striking a balance between ambitious energy goals and the practical realities facing industries and communities that depend on marine resources.
As the fishing industry fights for its survival, many await the court's ruling on whether the wind turbines will be allowed to continue construction in areas essential for commercial fishing.
Sources:
breitbart.com
twitchy.com
justthenews.com
Latest News