Steve Cortes, founder of the League of American Workers, said offshore wind developments near New Jersey beaches produce inconsistent energy, harm marine and coastal ecosystems, and detract from shoreline aesthetics—a point he explores in his documentary on wind energy challenges.
“The windmills are a disaster,” said Cortes. “They make no economic sense, cannot produce reliable power, and do grave harm to animals, the land and the sea. Plus, they ruin gorgeous vistas.”
According to Cortes, over 100 whale deaths have been linked to offshore wind activity off the Jersey Shore. He claims that the projects are economically unfeasible and environmentally harmful, providing a link to his documentary for further exploration of these issues.
Opponents of offshore wind in New Jersey have reported multiple humpback whale strandings during development activities. State records indicate 25 strandings since 2016 as part of a larger unusual mortality event along the Atlantic coast. Critics suggest that survey noise and construction may contribute to risks for marine life.
Some offshore wind projects in the United States, including Ocean Wind 1 and 2 in New Jersey, have faced delays or cancellations due to rising costs from inflation and supply chain challenges, despite federal tax incentives. Developers cite higher prices for components and financing as significant barriers.
Research indicates that wind energy facilities across the U.S. have caused fatalities among birds and bats through collisions, with higher bat deaths reported in eastern regions. Studies show population declines for nearly half of studied bird species due to interactions with turbines. Offshore expansions raise additional concerns over alterations to marine habitats and species displacement.
Cortes is also a senior political advisor to CatholicVote and a former senior advisor to President Trump and JD Vance. Additionally, he is a commentator for Fox News and CNN, regularly releasing documentaries and columns at cortesinvestigates.com.
