Congressman Harris Calls For Moratorium on Windmill Construction Following Death of Whale On Assateague Island

WASHINGTON, DC: Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) issued the following statement following the death of yet another whale, this time on Assateague Island.

Congressman Harris issued the following statement:

“Following the death of yet another whale, this time on Assateague Island, I am calling for an immediate moratorium on windmill construction and related underwater geotechnical testing until it is definitively proven that this construction and testing are not the cause of the repeated whale deaths.  NOAA has offered zero evidence that this construction, including geotechnical testing, is not the cause of death. I am also calling for a full and transparent release of necropsy results, including the necropsy results of the whale ear structures which should be removed for examination to determine whether sonar actively contributed to the cause of death. Even a vessel strike is still consistent with injury from seismic testing as that testing may interfere with the whale’s hearing and senses – some think causing long lasting damage. We need to take the time to gather proper scientific data, act in full transparency, and not rely upon FAQ platitudes for these projects, their construction, and the impact they may have upon our environment. Until such actions occur, I am calling for a complete shutdown of windmill construction.”