For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Jackie.Greger@sierraclub.org
Private Interests Use Baseless Offshore Wind Lawsuit to Protect Profit Rather than People
Cape May, NJ - This week, several tourism and fisheries came together to sue federal agencies in an attempt to delay the development of Ørsted’s Ocean Wind 1 project. Plaintiffs include Cape May County Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Wildwood Hotel and Motel Association, Clean Ocean Action, the Garden State Seafood Association, LaMonica Fine Foods, Lund's Fisheries, and Surfside Seafood Products.
The 71-page lawsuit claims that agencies have failed to comply with multiple environmental regulations such as the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Coastal Zone Management Act, and Clean Water Act.
New Jersey Sierra Club Statement in response to latest Offshore Wind lawsuits:
“We are saddened, but not surprised, that we continue to see baseless lawsuits used as a tactic to delay NJ’s transition to clean renewable energy. These organizations and business interests have one goal: protecting their profits. Personal greed is being placed over the health and wellbeing of us all. Unfortunately, we see more moves to protect precious million dollar views than caring for what happens to black and brown people suffering from pollution in New Jersey and across the country,” said Anjuli Ramos-Busot, New Jersey Director for the Sierra Club. “Offshore wind will create good jobs, improve air quality, increase our resilience and reliability. It's time we stop burying our heads in the sand and face the facts. Clean energy is the future and the transition is happening. Big Oil is the only one to benefit if we maintain the status quo while New Jersey residents and businesses continue to suffer.”
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About the Sierra Club: The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information about our work in New Jersey, visit www.sierraclub.org/new-jersey.