Ocean County Leader

U.S. Representative Chris Smith has expressed his approval of the Environmental Appeals Board's recent decision to remand the Clean Air Act permit for the Atlantic Shores wind turbine farm. The permit, originally issued last fall, was a significant step in the development of offshore wind turbines in New Jersey.

Smith criticized the previous administration's handling of offshore wind projects, stating, "The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Environmental Appeals Board has recognized the inadequacy of Biden-era reviews and are correctly revoking a reckless decision by the previous administration as it tried to rush these projects to completion."

Smith has been vocal about his concerns regarding offshore wind development. He argues that such projects would negatively impact national security radar, fishing industries, tourism-dependent local economies, and Coast Guard operations near wind farms.

The decision follows Shell Energy's announcement earlier this year that it would withdraw from the Atlantic Shores project. Shell Chief Financial Officer Sinead Gorman explained the withdrawal by stating, "We just don’t see that it fits both our capabilities nor the returns that we would like."

Smith commented on what he perceives as shortcomings in federal approval processes under President Biden's administration: “This judge’s decision underscores the horrible, slipshod federal approval process for offshore wind under Biden.”

He remains optimistic about further evaluations mandated by former President Trump's Executive Order: “I am confident that as further reviews continue...the Biden administration’s egregious whitewashing of offshore wind will continue to come to light.”