Offshore Wind Farms Under Congressional Scrutiny for National Security Risks
Ocean turbines pose a threat to radar protection, domestic food supplies, and energy security, according to experts. They reported various national security risks associated with offshore wind farms at a Congressional field hearing in Ocean City, Maryland, on Jan. 20. Representatives Andy Harris (R-Md.), Jeff van Drew (R-N.J.), and Chris Smith (R-N.J.) called upon experts in environmental and energy policy, economic impact, the fishing industry, and local impact to present their findings at the hearing.
One of the key concerns highlighted by the congressmen and experts was the possibility of offshore wind turbine interference with radar. Experts warned that the gigantic wind turbines could potentially compromise the effectiveness of military, aviation, and marine radar systems. A major potential risk cited was the suppression and interference of radar detection of small contacts. Additionally, offshore wind farms threaten the detection of hostile incoming aircraft or missiles, posing a significant national defense risk.
Furthermore, the noise generated by wind turbines, both in the air and water, creates additional security risks. The Department of Defense expressed concern over the fact that wind turbines and Russian submarines emit underwater soundwaves of similar frequencies, potentially affecting surveillance of underwater threats.
Moreover, offshore wind farms were found to interfere with all classes of marine radar and pose serious implications for the fishing industry, particularly for vessels operated by companies such as Seafreeze Ltd. Megan Lapp, a fisheries liaison for Seafreeze Ltd., emphasized the negative impact of offshore wind farms on the ability of vessels to safely harvest and transit through these areas. Such interference not only affects domestic fishing but has broader implications for the nation’s food security.
Food Security
The potential impact on national food security was a major concern highlighted during the hearing. The offshore wind farms are operated mostly by foreign-owned companies and have the potential to impact domestic fishing operations. The leasing of ocean areas for offshore wind farms jeopardizes the nation’s ability to maintain food security and sustainability of the fishing industry. Additionally, the implementation of wind energy is ridden with economic implications, such as high costs incurred by Maryland families and the reliance on intermittent power sources, which may lead to increased energy costs and negatively affect the nation’s competitive position on the world stage.
Pause the Rush to Build
During the hearing, it was recognized that there was a headlong rush by the Biden administration to rapidly deploy offshore wind energy projects, with the goal of deploying 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy projects by 2030. The rush was attributed to language included in the Inflation Reduction Act, under which taxpayers would bear 30 percent of all construction costs if construction began on or before Jan. 1, 2026. Additionally, concerns were raised about the potential detrimental impact of foreign-owned companies taking over the nation’s energy resources.
Coming to the end of the hearing, the sentiment was to carefully evaluate and reconsider the industrialization of the ocean before any irreversible mistakes are made. Participants urged the American public to scrutinize the decision to develop offshore wind farms thoroughly before proceeding further.
