New Jersey League of Conversation Voters Executive Director Ed Potosnak last week reiterated his belief that climate change is the biggest cause of whale deaths on the Jersey Shore.
Potosnak issued a statement following the recent release of scientific reports by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the Responsible Offshore Development Alliance that looked the impacts of offshore wind on fish and marine mammals.
“After the reports were released, NOAA reiterated the agency’s previous statement that there is no evidence that offshore wind is causing the recent whale deaths at the Jersey Shore, which remain under investigation,” Potosnak said.
Potosnak, who has been the executive director of LCV for more than a decade, said climate change must be addressed.
“Climate change is the biggest threat to marine life and our oceans,” he said. “To protect marine life and wildlife, we must address our warming oceans, and offshore wind is part of the solution.”
While others are calling for a temporary halt to offshore wind, Potosnak said his group fully supports it — and that offshore wind is a solution, not a problem.
“New Jersey LCV advocates for responsibly developed offshore wind in full compliance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and we are encouraged that there is robust scientific review of offshore wind and its impacts,” he said.
“Meanwhile, we need to keep the momentum going toward a 21st century clean energy economy that will protect the Jersey Shore, clean our air, slow the warming of our oceans and create family-sustaining jobs — all while actually protecting our oceans and the marine environment.”
