Three anti-wind power advocacy groups have initiated a legal battle against the state of New Jersey, aiming to revoke a critical environmental permit for the proposed Atlantic Shores wind farm off the coast of Long Beach Island.
The groups, Save Long Beach Island, Defend Brigantine Beach, and Protect Our Coast NJ, filed a lawsuit in appellate court on April 26, contesting the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s (NJDEP) affirmation that the project complies with federal coastal protection laws.
This legal challenge follows a successful opposition by the same groups against another project by Danish company Orsted, which was canceled in October. The ongoing legal proceedings underscore the growing tension between renewable energy development and environmental conservation efforts along New Jersey’s coastline.
Atlantic Shores, which is among three wind farms off New Jersey’s coast currently with preliminary approvals, has come under scrutiny for its potential environmental impacts. According to Bruce Afran, the attorney representing the groups, the state’s approval contradicts findings from the federal environmental impact statement.
This statement highlighted concerns such as potential harm to marine habitats, alteration of the seafloor, risks to marine life, disruption of migration paths for endangered species, and negative effects on commercial fishing.