Pictured above is the first operating South Fork Wind farm turbine on Thursday, December 7, 2023. America's first commercial-scale offshore wind farm is now open. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)
"There are still too many unanswered questions about the impacts of offshore wind on the marine environment, commercial fishermen and our fishing heritage," said Kevin Kelley, a spokesperson for the Maine Lobstermen's Association, a large fishing trade group.
Kelley said the organization appreciates that the wind energy area removes some of the most critical fishing groups, but still believes no part of the Gulf of Maine should be "industrialized with offshore wind."
Several environmental and labor groups came out in favor of the proposal on Friday.
"For the most part, this designation has carved out the most sensitive areas and excluded them from wind turbine construction," said Kate Sinding Daly, senior vice president of law and policy at Conservation Law Foundation.
The wind energy area consists of about 2 million acres off Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire that are 23 miles to 92 miles off the coast depending on the location, the BOEM said. The agency said development of the area could potentially surpass state goals for offshore wind energy in the Gulf of Maine.
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BOEM is expected in a few days to announce its intent to prepare an environmental assessment of potential impacts of offshore wind leasing activities in the area.
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https://www.foxnews.com/politics/feds-select-large-stretch-new-england-coast-offshore-wind-development