As the Biden administration expands its offshore wind projects as part of its goal to reach a carbon-free energy system, whales and other marine life may become collateral damage, according to new research. Two independent studies measuring ocean wind turbine construction noise found that the sound emitted by vessels mapping the seafloor was significantly louder than estimated, and that noise protection for whales and other sea creatures during wind turbine pile driving doesn’t work. Intense noise causes hearing loss in whales, other marine mammals, turtles, and fish, compromising their ability to navigate, avoid danger, detect predators, and find prey, according to scientific studies.
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This important report analyzes underwater sonar noise levels captured by Rand Acoustics, LLC at different distances from an active sonar survey being conducted at a wind lease area 43 miles offshore New Jersey. Rand determined in his review of the data that the sound levels (in decibels) were much louder than those approved by NOAA. This report raises serious questions regarding whether the mitigations mandated by NOAA to protect marine mammals were sufficient since the mitigations were based on source sonar levels that were much quieter than those Rand measured. The executive summary of the Rand report is provided below. The full report can be accessed at the document links on this page.