When the science doesn’t support your position?
Give out a grant to solicit the right “science”!
This week, Fox News reported that the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) posted a grant solicitation back in May 2023 seeking research assistance. For what? Well, to fill “knowledge gaps” of course!
“In support of the rapid development of offshore wind (OSW) on the Atlantic OCS, the Environmental Studies Program (ESP) has identified a priority need to address knowledge gaps in the acoustic behavior of critically endangered North Atlantic right whales (NARW),” the BOEM posting explains. “This information is vital to the effectiveness of passive acoustic monitoring required for mitigation.”
Click here to see it for yourself.
The posting is significant because BOEM previously conceded a possible “increased risk” of death for marine mammals in a New Jersey wind farm impact statement. Notwithstanding this easy-to-find information, the Murphy Administration and its allies continue to gaslight critics by denying any link between offshore wind development and large scale deaths of dolphins and whales.
“Talk about a day late and billions already spent,” said Congressman Chris Smith (R, NJ-04). “For BOEM to concede after the fact that they have ‘knowledge gaps’ is both stunning and shocking and reason to pause the massive industrialization of our ocean. The Biden Administration’s shoddy approval of these unprecedented offshore wind projects without a full understanding of the permanent impacts to our marine environment is unbelievably reckless and irresponsible.”
The ongoing comprehensive audit I secured from the Government Accountability Office into the impacts of these projects is desperately needed to expose the many gaps and unanswered questions that have yet to be addressed by the Biden Administration,” continued Smith. “Just last month, the House passed my amendment requiring Biden to certify that offshore wind projects will not weaken, degrade, or interfere with our military and commercial aviation activities. Instead of continuing to aggressively greenlight the offshore wind industrialization of our ocean, the Biden Administration must start heeding—and stop dismissing—the numerous concerns raised by environmental experts, recreational and commercial fisherman, local officials and Jersey Shore residents.”
