US Offshore Wind Faces Pushback from Fishing Groups

The auction for the rights to the wind farm off the coast of New York has encountered pushback from fishing groups concerned about the impact a large-scale wind project will have on the access to prime fishing areas.

The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) was set to administer the lease sale on December 15, when a petition to delay the auction was presented to the federal court.

The U.S Bureau of Ocean Energy and Management (BOEM) requires an extensive stakeholder marine spatial planning process that de-conflicts the wind energy area prior to the Point of Sale Notice (PSN). 

The Business Network for Offshore Wind, a business network that aims to help usher the U.S. into the offshore wind market, said it believes addressing stakeholder conflicts throughout the offshore wind development process is critical. The Network and its members say they are committed to meeting all local, state and federal environmental requirements for offshore wind development.

According to the Network, the State of New York moving forward with offshore wind would contribute to a regional pipeline of 4-6 GW of OSW that could create more than 60,000 manufacturing, marine construction, marine transportation, logistics, operations and maintenance jobs.

Additionally, the Network noted that there are approximately 2,500 wind turbines deployed in the ocean off the coast of Europe today equating to almost 4GWs of offshore wind energy generation, creating more than 60,000 jobs and coexisting with other ocean users. Throughout Europe the presence of turbine structures in the ocean creates an artificial reef, which serves as a new habitat for marine life. Fishing around offshore wind farms is not prohibited, and proves beneficial to the success of the fishing industry.

It is the Network said it believes conflicts can be resolved with sound science and a willingness to cooperate, and it remains committed to resolving these concerns based on following the best available science and meeting the mutual needs of all the parties.