Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) today issued the following statement on the Biden Administration holding its first offshore wind auction in the Gulf of Mexico as Hurricane Idalia barrels toward the United States:

            “With the Gulf Coast bracing for its first major hurricane threat of the season, the Biden Administration continues its aggressive push for offshore wind industrialization as it foolishly ignores the real dangers of installing thousands of wind turbines—massive structures the size of the Chrysler Building—in Hurricane Alley.

            Shockingly, the vulnerability of offshore wind turbines to hurricanes, nor’easters and superstorms has not been adequately investigated or vetted by the Biden Administration, even though a 2012 study found ‘there is very substantial risk that Category 3 and higher hurricanes can destroy half or more of the turbines at some locations.’

            Like the Gulf Coast, the Jersey Shore—where 3,400 wind turbines are slated to be installed—regularly experiences major storms and hurricanes that inflict significant damage.

            In 2012, Superstorm Sandy wreaked havoc on our communities, leaving families without housing, businesses in shambles, and decimated municipalities in its wake. One can only imagine how these enormous wind turbines would have fared.

            In April, I asked Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Director Liz Klein whether the Biden Administration had fully examined if offshore wind turbines could sustain a Category 2 or Category 3 hurricane, but she was not able to address my concerns.

            Even more troubling is BOEM’s request in May for studies to ‘address knowledge gaps’ related to its offshore wind projects, which further underscores the Biden Administration’s shoddy approval process that failed to thoroughly evaluate the significant risks and permanent impacts before proceeding with the rapid industrialization of our ocean.

            The ongoing comprehensive audit I secured from the Government Accountability Office into the risks and impacts of these offshore wind projects will help expose the serious gaps and questions that have yet to be acknowledged by the Biden Administration in its reckless pursuit of offshore wind industrialization.”

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