August 14, 2024 — With no letting up in his criticism, U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-Atlantic) on Tuesday hosted his third public forum so far on the expansion of offshore wind off the Jersey Shore. He was joined by local officials, experts and community members to discuss the broader impacts of offshore wind energy, including costs and the wider effects on the state’s coastal environments.
Van Drew has long contended that the plans to build over 100 giant wind turbines off the coast will have a devastating effect on the environment and the economy.
“This is not the five windmills that you see coming into AC,” he said. “We are talking about hundreds, if not thousands, of wind turbines over 1,000 feet tall that have substances that can leach into our oceans. We are going to decimate our fishing industry which is the third largest industry in the state, but these people don’t care.”
Community members at the Brigantine event on Tuesday also voiced concern about noise and environmental impacts from wind turbines, and others said the costs will fall on taxpayers.
“They are going to cost you a lot of money,” said Van Drew. “Not a little bit, but multiple times. . . Your utility bills are going to go way up. I don’t know about you, but the people I know have a hard time paying their current utility bills before paying all the things they need to.”