OCEAN CITY, NJ – The Ocean City administration continues to fight the Ocean Wind 1 project.
The battle against offshore wind is a long-standing one in Ocean City for many residents and vacationers who oppose the project. Read more: Ocean City residents say wind farm shouldn’t destroy beach
Now, with two public hearings to come, the city administration has outlined its ways to fight the Orsted project.
On September 29, two Zoom hearings will be held by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) at 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. These will relate to Danish energy company Orsted’s request to run cables under water. and arrive at Green Acres. beach lot at 35th street.
Another hearing will be held in Ocean City on October 3 at 6 p.m., hosted by Ocean Wind, LLC, on the same subject. Read more: Public hearing on offshore wind to be held in Ocean City
Previous hearings have been held on this topic, where Ocean City officials called the request a “self-serving approach.” Read more: Ocean City opposes cables from offshore wind farms on beaches
At a recent city council meeting, city business administrator George Savastano explained the city’s arguments against the proposal.
“We question the authority of the BPU to even consider Ocean Wind’s petition,” Savastano said. “We will argue that this petition should be referred to the Office of Administrative Law.”
Savastano explained that the city believes that, by law, the petition should not be reviewed by the BPU.
The city will also argue that Ocean Wind should be required to disclose the cost of alternative routes and that no decision should be made until the environmental impact statements required for the project are finalized.
“Frankly, Ocean City’s position at this point is that Ocean Wind’s presentation thus far in this matter has been either incomplete or not credible,” Savastano said.
Board Vice-Chair Karen Bergman said she was “pleased” with Ocean City’s stance on offshore wind.
“I’m really excited to see Ocean City going to fight,” she said. “That they do not pass through our city, and that they will then find other necessary routes if they have to pass.”