Shawn LaTourette, the commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, had strong words regarding the recent death of a whale, which washed ashore Saturday in Long Branch.
The death is the latest in an unusually high number of whale deaths this year (at least the ninth in New Jersey) and in recent years.
While many have suggested — without evidence — that the offshore wind industry is to blame, LaTourette came to its defense on the platform formally known as Twitter.
He wrote on @shawnlatur:
“As someone long committed to protecting our environment and now constitutionally obligated to ensure its good care, the uptick in whale deaths since 2016 is heartbreaking. But let’s also be clear: there is no legitimate evidence that offshore wind development is the cause. None.”
LaTourette made his post at about 5 p.m. Monday.
As someone long committed to protecting our environment and now constitutionally obligated to ensure its good care, the uptick in whale deaths since 2016 is heartbreaking.
But let’s also be clear: there is no legitimate evidence that offshore wind development is the cause. None. https://t.co/tIaHeAD1Qq
— Shawn LaTourette (@shawnlatur) August 14, 2023
