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Offshore Windmills Harm Endangered Species, New Studies Suggest
Related: dumb energy, environmental destruction, Expose Somewhat To Right, Expose To The Right, follow the money, follow the self-interest, noise
re: climate change
This is one of numerous grotesque forms of environmental destruction engendered by “green” technologies, which in truth are as deadly black as they come.
Offshore Windmills Harm Endangered Species, New Studies Suggest
2024-05-05
An effort to create ‘carbon-free energy’ may result in the injury and death of sea creatures, including protected ones.
...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...
... “These are real data,” Mr. Rand, who testified at a congressional field hearing on Jan. 20, told The Epoch Times. “I measured it. This is not a computer model. This is not a political press release. These are data.”...
“Elevated humpback whale mortalities have occurred along the Atlantic coast from Maine through Florida [since 2016],” the NOAA stated. The NOAA also reported an “unusual mortality event” for North Atlantic right whales, in which 126 have died since 2017.
...
Mr. Rand dropped a research-grade, omnidirectional hydrophone into the water at six locations, starting at 4.1 nautical miles from the pile driving and moving closer to 0.57 nautical miles.
Analyzing the data, he found that even with sophisticated noise mitigation in place, the pile driving is as loud as multiple seismic air guns.
The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) makes it illegal to kill, hunt, capture, or harass a marine mammal. Killing or injuring a mammal is considered Level A harassment under the 1972 law. Level B harassment includes actions that disrupt an animal’s normal behavior, including migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or sheltering.
... Based on his data, Mr. Rand estimated the pile driving noise at the source at 241 decibels. Loudness decreases as sound waves move away from the source. Still, Mr. Rand measured peak sound levels ranging from 180 decibels at a distance of 0.57 nautical miles from the ship to 162 decibels at 4.1 nautical miles.
He also found that the continuous noise of the Orion’s propulsion and positioning thrusters exceeded 120 decibels at a distance of 3.7 miles from the ship.
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WIND: these sounds levels would kill your hearing or mine! I once had to work at an office that for a period of two years had pile drivers going into the mud of the bay. A mile away, the din was godawful even inside.
The idea that ultra high-decible sounds blasts somehow do not severely harm marine mammals and all sorts of other life is an idea for children and idiots. Sound travels especially fast and strongly through water.
The activities are clearly and unequivocally illegal.
These projects are for a few grifters to make huge profits at taxpayer expense while supported by massive subsidies, also at taxpayer expense. They serve no other useful purpose.
See also: The Anti Social Cost of Carbon eg “offshore wind generation costs five times more than natural gas and coal” = quality of life for most people is being engineer to be horrible.
Trump Tells Massive Crowd: "Day One" Executive Order Will Target Offshore Wind To Save Whales
