A federal decide has rejected a lawsuit introduced by Nantucket residents who argued that the deliberate building of dozens of wind generators off the prosperous resort island threatens the survival of endangered Northern Atlantic proper whales.
Nantucket Residents Against Turbines mentioned Vineyard Wind’s proposed mission of some 62 generators in waters 14 miles south of the island is in an important space for foraging and nursing for the dwindling species, which researchers estimate to quantity about 340.
In a ruling issued Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani discovered the group failed to point out that both the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management or the National Marine Fisheries Service violated the Endangered Species Act or the National Environmental Policy Act in issuing a 2021 organic opinion or closing environmental impression assertion for the wind vitality mission.
Vineyard Wind CEO Klaus Moeller welcomed the choice.
“We’re pleased the court has acknowledged the rigorous and thorough administrative review that our project underwent over the last many years,” Moeller mentioned in an announcement. “We remain committed to working with all stakeholders so that we can continue to set the highest possible standards on this first in the nation project.”
The 800-megawatt Vineyard Wind mission is on monitor to be the primary commercial-scale offshore wind farm within the U.S., with plans to ultimately create sufficient electrical energy to energy 400,000 properties.
Vallorie Oliver, a Nantucket resident and one of many plaintiffs within the case, mentioned the group is contemplating doable choices.
“Nantucket Residents Against Turbines is obviously disappointed in the ruling,” she mentioned. “We will be taking a few days to weigh our options going forward.”
The American Clean Power Association additionally applauded the choice, saying it reveals “the environmental review process for offshore wind projects is rigorous and effective at ensuring that these projects are built in an environmentally responsible manner.”
The visibility of the towering constructions — which might rise as much as 850 toes above sea stage and eclipse Boston’s 790-foot Hancock Tower — can also be among the many group’s considerations.
Vineyard Wind comes years after the proposed Cape Wind mission, which failed after bitter litigation from one other group that included Nantucket property homeowners.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”