December 8, 2016 — Commercial fishing groups, including New England scallopers, have sued the federal government seeking to block a Long Island offshore wind-farm energy auction that is scheduled to take place next week.
The groups, including the Long Island Commercial Fishing Association, seek a preliminary injunction to block the auction for a wind-energy area around 11 miles off the coast of Jones Beach. The groups say the auction and eventual construction of the wind-farm would severely hamper fishing in the area.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority is among 14 parties deemed eligible to bid for the right to erect a wind farm in 81,000 acres of water off Long Island’s southern shore. NYSERDA this year took on a project begun by LIPA in 2008, and plans to bid on the area next week, officials have said. NYSERDA also recently completed a three-year study of offshore wildlife in the area.
Robert Vanasse, a spokesman for the fishing groups, said lawyers for fishermen had attempted as recently as last week to work out a compromise on the areas designated for the wind-energy area.
“It became obvious the administration had no interest in working cooperatively,” he said.