TRENTON, NJ – Orsted, the Danish wind energy company that recently bailed on Governor Phil Murphy’s Ocean Wind I & II offshore wind farms, owes the state more than $100 million dollars. Politicians across New Jersey all agree that Murphy’s failed project needs to be held accountable financially, but few are asking for environmental accountability.
While the federal government and Governor Phil Murphy reject the link between Orsted’s offshore sonar mapping and the rise in whale and dolphin deaths in 2022-2023, many local officials believe the two are connected.
Governor Phil Murphy and legislative Democrats refused calls for an offshore wind moratorium until further federal studies were conducted. Orsted’s departure from the project now gives those officials an unscheduled moratorium and now, only time will tell if the volume of marine mammal deaths and strandings declines.
Green Oceans Spokesman David Shanker says if a link is found between the offshore sonar work and mammal deaths is scientifically linked, Orsted should pay for the damages it caused to the marine ecosystem off the coast of New Jersey.
“Ørsted should not be let off the hook for the damages it has caused our state and the marine mammals who inhabit and migrate along our shores.” Shanker said. “Since 2019 when Ørsted was first awarded the Ocean Wind 1 lease area and started its survey and development work, we’ve seen a tremendous increase in the deaths of marine mammals. Instead of giving this international conglomerate – that time and time again has broken from its agreements with the state – $300 million back, those funds should go towards preserving our shore communities and marine ecosystems while finding green energy solutions that don’t kill whales and destroy coastal communities.”
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has remained mostly silent on the matter since Orsted announced their withdrawal from the project.