South Shore residents rally in Island Park against offshore wind

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A National Day of Action against offshore wind brought community members, activists and local leaders together in Long Beach and Island Park on Saturday, highlighting a sharp divide over renewable energy projects. While protesters rallied against the potential environmental, health and economic impacts of offshore wind, some emphasized the urgency of addressing climate change with renewable solutions.

Roughly 50 demonstrators marched from Long Beach to Island Park Saturday afternoon to protest offshore wind projects. The event, part of a nationwide campaign spearheaded by the National Offshore Wind Opposition Alliance, united coastal communities in voicing their opposition to the offshore wind industry and its impact on local ecosystems, economies and public health.

“We will be saying, ‘End it,’ with one unified voice, to remind our incoming administration that there are millions of coastal citizens that would be negatively impacted by the offshore wind industry and its infrastructure,” said Christina Kramer, of Long Beach, a board member of Protect Our Coast Long Island NY, who opened the rally. “We are looking for our new president and his cabinet to do as they have promised, to end it.”

New York state hopes to develop 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind energy by 2035, to power up to 6 million homes, according to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

The National Day of Action included simultaneous events in states including New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Virginia and California, highlighting what was described as the growing national concern over offshore wind. Kramer’s activism, she said, began when she received a letter informing her of plans to install high-voltage cables near her home in Long Beach.

“Simple common sense told me this was dangerous,” she said. As she delved deeper, she learned that the cables were part of a plan to transport energy from wind turbines that would be built offshore.

Her research revealed potential risks to public health, she said, including exposure to electromagnetic radiation from high-voltage cables, which has been linked to cancer and leukemia. She also raised concerns about the turbines’ impact on marine ecosystems, local fishing industries and property values.

“My family’s health and safety were being put at risk so someone else could receive electricity,” Kramer said. “I felt like collateral damage.”

Her concerns led her to create Protect Our Coast Long Island NY, a local chapter of the National Offshore Wind Opposition Alliance, in 2021.The group has since gained the attention of local and state officials, including former Congressman Anthony D’Esposito and Assemblyman Ari Brown, both of whom have become vocal supporters. In 2023 the group collected over 15,000 signatures on a petition opposing offshore wind. A crowd of Protect Our Coast supporters gathered on the Long Beach boardwalk last March, along with elected officials, drawing attention to its cause.

The group has grown, but Kramer said she hopes it gets smaller, coinciding with the successful end of its fight. But, she added, referring to the development of offshore wind power, “If it doesn’t end, it will continue to grow, because we won’t stop until it ends.”

Arthur Schnee came from Massapequa on Saturday to voice his frustration with what he sees as conflicts of interest among officials and environmental groups.

“I don’t want to see wind turbines in the ocean,” Schnee said. “The fishing industry suffers,” he argued, pointing to issues that he said have arisen in other regions.

Nassau County Legislator Patrick Mullaney acknowledged the concerns raised by the protesters, while noting the lack of clear communication from offshore wind project developers and state agencies.

“Once the government and companies get their hands on an initiative like this, they rarely let it go,” Mullaney said. “There’s a lot of money behind these projects, which gives them credibility, but it doesn’t mean all questions have been answered.”

Mullaney highlighted frustration with the lack of transparency from state agencies like NYSERDA and Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office, which have been slow to address the community’s concerns.

“I think the real issue here is the need for open, honest communication,” Mullaney said. “People deserve answers, not deflection.”

Island Park Mayor Michael McGinty argued that offshore wind is neither environmentally nor economically sustainable.

“We’re paying for two power systems: one for when the wind blows and one for when it doesn’t,” McGinty said. He cited examples from Germany and Sweden, where, he said, wind projects have resulted in increased reliance on nuclear energy.

Jim Brown, an Island Park resident and an environmental advocate, offered a contrasting perspective. Having lived in Long Beach until Hurricane Sandy forced him to relocate, Brown expressed strong support for offshore wind energy.

“We need renewable energy to fight climate change,” he said. “I live near the Barrett power plant, which still runs on fossil fuels and spews harmful emissions into the air. Offshore wind is a cleaner alternative, and all the science supports it as essential to our future.”

Brown also dismissed claims that high-voltage cables from the turbines pose health risks, calling them “misinformation” fueled by “fearmongering.”

Brown highlighted efforts to mitigate the environmental impact of offshore wind projects, including studies conducted by organizations like the South Shore Audubon Society to avoid avian hot spots and minimize disruption to marine ecosystems. He acknowledged that offshore wind projects have trade-offs, but argued that the benefits outweigh the costs.

“We’re already at 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and it will be disastrous if we continue on this path,” Brown said. “Offshore wind is critical, and we can’t afford to fall further behind in the fight against climate change.”

Despite local opposition, as evidenced by the demonstration, Brown said he remained optimistic about the future of offshore wind. “I believe most people support offshore wind,” he said. “The opposition is loud, but we need to fight back and demand more action.”