Ørsted To Address Offshore Wind Farm Concerns In Ocean City

OCEAN CITY, NJ — A planned offshore wind farm off New Jersey’s southern coast will be the topic of discussion during a town hall meeting on Nov. 6 at the Ocean City Music Pier.

Ørsted plans to construct 99 wind turbines about 15 miles off the coast from Atlantic City to Cape May. Ørsted expects the wind farm to be operational by 2024, and capable of powering half a million homes.

The wind farm has drawn opposition from several southern coastal communities, citing environmental concern for marine life and its impact on fishing and tourism industries.

Ørsted’s open house will update residents of Ocean City and other communities on the status of the offshore wind farm. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m., with the program beginning at 10 a.m. and running until approximately 1 p.m.

The in-person meeting will also include a virtual option. Those who choose to participate virtually can register to watch the event here. Questions will also be accepted virtually.

“They'll have representatives on hand who will be prepared to field questions on various aspects of the project and they’ll field those questions in a public fashion so everyone can hear what everyone has concerns about,” said Ocean City Business Administrator George Savastano.

Attendees will be invited into the auditorium for a welcome and short project overview, followed by a question-and-answer session comprised of subject matter experts. Topics include:

• Overall project and general information on offshore wind
• The benefits of clean energy in combatting climate change and creating jobs
• Environmental, and federal/state permitting
• Marine affairs and fisheries
• Onshore transmission

State officials have said the project will advance New Jersey’s goal of achieving 7,500 megawatts of offshore wind by 2035 and 100 percent clean energy by 2050.

“The Ocean Wind project will play a key role in helping the state achieve its goals, by providing clean energy, investing in New Jersey and making the state a key player in the new burgeoning offshore wind industry,” reads a statement from Ocean Wind’s website.

“The upcoming town meeting will be about the project’s impact on Ocean City and our region, responding to all the public’s questions and concerns,” Savastano said. “Whether you’re for or against this project, the meeting will be an opportunity to learn more about it and also to learn how you can voice your opinion about this project.”

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