Dolphin Deaths Spur Calls for Wind Power Halt in New Jersey

Crews of first responders attend to beached dolphins in Sea Isle, New Jersey on Wednesday.Photographer: WPVI-TV/6ABC/AP Photo
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A spate of whale and dolphin deaths along New Jersey’s shore is prompting Republican lawmakers to call for a halt to preliminary work on Governor Phil Murphy’s offshore wind projects.

The Republicans say the deaths may be the result of ocean floor surveying, part of the Democratic governor’s plan for 100% clean energy by 2035. Though wind farms don’t yet exist off the New Jersey coast, they say preliminary work may be interfering with the animals’ sonar communications and leading them astray.