OCEAN CITY, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — Police in Ocean City arrested a small group of protesters Tuesday after they delayed work on an offshore wind project.
Orsted's Ocean Wind 1 project is in its next phase: mapping out where electrified lines will be installed in Ocean City. Six protesters laid down on the blacktop near 35th Street in an attempt to stop the work. After several warnings over four hours, they were taken into custody.
"Peaceful protests like this are a hallmark of what America is all about," argued Robin Shaffer, with Protect Our Coast NJ, an organization opposing offshore wind development in the Garden State. He says Orsted should expect more protests as work ramps up.
"I think that people are going to stand up louder, stronger and in greater numbers as time goes on."
Orsted has faced delays due to financial and supply chain issues, but the company says its work in South Jersey will continue as planned. Ocean Wind 1's completion is expected in 2026, later than initially planned.
Shaffer thinks activism has been a major problem for the company. "I believe a lot of what's happening is the result of public pressure that's being exerted," he said.
Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian, an offshore wind opponent himself, says he wishes authorities didn't have to arrest anyone, but he understands the activists' passion.
Gov. Phil Murphy has said wind energy is a vital part of New Jersey's plan to move to 100% renewable energy by 2035, and wants the state to be a national leader in the field of wind energy.
