TRENTON, NJ – Senator Anthony M. Bucco criticized the hearing conducted by Trenton Democrats on marine mammal deaths for lacking critical perspectives and being one-sided. He also accused Democrats of silencing opposition on the matter.
Bucco (R-25) expressed his observation after listening to the panel of witnesses, stating that the Democrats favored protecting wind farms over whales. He noted the absence of any voice critical of offshore wind development or its impact on marine mammals, emphasizing the unfortunate disregard for opposing viewpoints. Bucco believed that what could have been an open and healthy debate turned into a one-sided conversation.
The hearing, led by the Democrat-led Assembly Science, Innovation, and Technology Committee, focused on the impact of offshore wind farms on whale deaths. However, it failed to include independent and nonpartisan witnesses.
One of the witnesses was the New Jersey DEP Commissioner, who attributed the increase in whale and dolphin deaths to climate change rather than wind farms.
Similar views were expressed by other witnesses.
In contrast, New Jersey Senate Republicans organized an independent hearing on May 3, to address the unprecedented surge of whale deaths along the New Jersey Shore. Senator Bucco chaired the panel, which featured qualified and independent experts as well as environmental activists.
Although invited to provide a balanced perspective, both the NJDEP and wind farm developers declined to participate in the independent hearing.
Bucco highlighted the efforts made prior to the Senate Republican hearing to foster an open and transparent discussion by inviting stakeholders from both sides of the issue. He expressed disappointment in his colleagues from the other side of the aisle, noting their lack of interest in such a dialogue during their own hearing. Bucco emphasized that protecting the environment and preventing harm to marine wildlife should not be a partisan matter.
He concluded by expressing his concern that silencing opposing voices makes it difficult to obtain the complete story needed for informed policy decisions.