Biden admin scientist raised alarm on offshore wind harming whales months ago
Fox News
A Biden administration scientist authored an internal memo warning of the impacts offshore wind development may have on marine life months before the recent spate of whale deaths.
"The development of offshore wind poses risks to these species, which is magnified in southern New England waters due to species abundance and distribution," Hayes wrote in the letter dated May 13. "These risks occur at varying stages, including construction and development, and include increased noise, vessel traffic, habitat modifications, water withdrawals associated with certain substations." Thomas Catenacci is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.
"The focus of this memo is on operational effects, and as such, focuses on potential oceanographic impacts driving right whale prey distribution, but also acknowledges increased risks due to increased vessel traffic and noise," he continued. "However, unlike vessel traffic and noise, which can be mitigated to some extent, oceanographic impacts from installed and operating turbines cannot be mitigated for the 30-year lifespan of the project, unless they are decommissioned."