DEP Opposes Wind Project in Delaware Bay

DEP documents were leaked which show that DEP opposes a proposed massive wind project in Delaware Bay. This leak forced DEP to take a public position. Read: “Political Arm Twisting for Massive Delaware Bay Wind Farm – NJ Under Political Pressure to Lift Ban on Wind Turbines in Migratory Bird Flyway”

Now the question becomes: can DEP defend this decision from the political onslaught of project supporters, including powerful south jersey Senator Sweeney and inside player former DEP Commissioner Brad Campbell? Where are the voices and opposition of the Bay’s advocates?

For the inside story, and to learn how this story was broken to the media, see: Political Pressure on DEP – How the Game is Played”

Here’s today’s press coverage – page one in Atlantic City Press:

DEP opposes wind farm in Delaware Bay [link]

By DANIEL WALSH Staff Writer

With PDFs of DEP’s letter to Delsea Energy, and e-mail correspondence between the two entities

State environmental officials oppose wind turbines anywhere in the Delaware Bay, a position that could jeopardize an Ocean County firm’s plans for a wind park there.

The Department of Environmental Protection cited potential threats to migratory birds, oyster seed beds and other resources, in an Aug. 20 letter to Delsea Energy of Toms River. Scott Brubaker, the DEP’s assistant commissioner for land use management, wrote “the Delaware Bay is not an appropriate area for development of wind energy.”  …

Campbell and Sweeney’s roles drew criticism Tuesday when the whistleblowers support group, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, accused them of pressuring DEP leaders to overrule their scientists’ opposition to the wind park. PEER obtained several documents showing the DEP’s opposition to wind power in the bay, as well as an Aug. 25 e-mail from Campbell to Brubaker’s boss, Mauriello. …

Bill Wolfe, a former DEP adviser to Campbell who now runs PEER’s New Jersey chapter, said the private meetings were antithetical to the premises of open government.

“Sweeney has a committee,” Wolfe said. “He could hold a hearing. He doesn’t need to do it behind closed doors. It’s an inherently strong-armed tactic.”