A conservative think tank has filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration, aiming to reverse the approval of a potential major offshore wind farm. A conservative think tank took legal action against the Biden administration on Monday, seeking to overturn the approval of what could be the biggest offshore wind farm of its type.
The Heartland Institute and the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow, a nonprofit advocating for an economically libertarian approach to environmental action, have filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to reverse the approval of Dominion Energy's 176-turbine wind project offshore Virginia.
The lawsuit from these groups argues that the approvals for the wind project did not consider potential threats to the North Atlantic right whale during its construction.
The lawsuit claims that the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) failed to provide sufficient protection for the endangered right whale, alleging that the Biden administration is prioritizing climate alarmism over the well-being of the species.
The lawsuit reiterates a common argument by conservatives against renewable energy projects, tying it to former President Trump's stance against offshore wind installations.
Despite this, evidence on whale deaths, particularly those of North Atlantic right whales, does not suggest that offshore wind is a significant factor in causing these deaths. Data Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows that the majority of right whale deaths between 2017 and 2024 were caused by vessel strikes, followed by unknown causes and entanglement in fishing gear. data NOAA data on humpback whale deaths also indicates that a significant percentage were due to entanglement or vessel strikes.
NOAA estimates that there are as few as 360 North Atlantic right whales remaining in the wild. The Biden administration has outlined a strategy to protect the species during the offshore wind development, including measures to minimize noise disturbances that have contributed to habitat loss.
The Hill has reached out for comment from NMFS. The Hill has reached out to NMFS for a statement.. BOEM has refused to provide a comment.
