Rep. Jeff Van Drew Leads Anti-Offshore Wind Meeting, Citing Security and Environmental Concerns Along Maryland Coast

A New Jersey Republican, Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) kicked off the anti-offshore-wind meeting on the Maryland coast by claiming that two proposed offshore wind farms were cancelled due to inflation and supply chain issues. The gathering, which did not have official committee sanction, characterized the industry as a blow to U.S. security, a threat to maritime safety, horseshoe crabs, fishing grounds, and tourism. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and NOAA Fisheries were invited to attend but declined. Critics included witnesses from the fishing sector, acoustics consultant, and libertarian think tank Cato Institute. The panel also highlighted potential negative impacts to radar and potential national security issues.