MONMOUTH BEACH, NJ – As New Jersey gears up to expand offshore wind energy, a divisive debate has broken out over its environmental impact. Senator Vin Gopal, a Democrat and ally of Governor Phil Murphy, recently dismissed claims linking offshore wind energy developments to a spike in whale and dolphin deaths on the Jersey Shore.
The Senator’s comments come in the wake of a dead whale washing ashore in Long Branch, his hometown, and allegations that sonar mapping for wind turbines could be to blame. Gopal unequivocally rejected these claims, stating, “We get a lot of misinformation that it’s killing dolphins and whales. That’s not true.”
Steve Dnistrian, Gopal’s Republican opponent, has called for a temporary halt to offshore wind farm construction and mapping until further studies are conducted. This aligns with a recent announcement by the federal government to fund research into the cause of increased whale deaths along the east coast.
Gopal maintains that offshore wind farms are crucial for New Jersey’s 2035 goals to ban gas-powered cars and shift to electric stoves and home heating systems. The senator criticized those questioning the wind farms, labelling them “conspiracy theorists.”
Residents and social media users have voiced concern over Gopal’s stance, urging the Senator to provide concrete evidence to refute claims linking sonar mapping to marine life deaths. One user stated, “He needs to prove the survey mapping is NOT the cause. Otherwise, step aside and shut up.”
The controversy persists as both sides await the results of the federal study, with residents, politicians, and environmentalists keeping a close eye on developments.