During a congressional hearing on offshore wind, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) confronted Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Director Liz Klein with studies questioning the safety and survivability of more than 3,400 offshore wind turbines planned for the Jersey Shore. Klein did not provide specific answers to the concerns raised by Smith.
Smith asked if the massive offshore wind turbines, each comparable in size to the Chrysler Building in New York City, could withstand category 2 or 3 hurricanes. In response, Klein stated, "I am happy to have our folks get back to you."
Smith, who represents several military installations in his district, also cited a 2020 BOEM analysis that concluded future offshore wind energy installations on the Atlantic coast may impact land-based radar systems, potentially putting military and civilian vessels at risk due to radar malfunction. He asked, "Is there a possibility that some 3,400 wind turbines proposed to be deployed off our coast could make navigation less safe?" Klein did not address the specific question, saying only that the BOEM has worked closely with the Department of Defense throughout the offshore wind site identification process.
Bloomberg has reported that the Pentagon has previously raised concerns about conflicts with military operations caused by offshore wind projects along the central Atlantic US coast, identifying large areas as "highly problematic." These concerns, along with conflicts recognized by the US Coast Guard, have alarmed renewable power developers and East Coast states depending on mid-Atlantic wind farms for clean energy and climate objectives.
A previous study requested by the BOEM discovered that wind turbines impact marine vessel radar in a situation-dependent manner, often causing strong reflected energy clutter on operators' displays, complicating navigation decisions. The report suggests that relevant federal agencies address gaps in understanding the impacts of wind turbine generators on marine vessel radars, particularly in and around wind farms.
