Method to Wind Farm Madness

Try as one might, it is almost impossible to find any substantial, factual basis in the recent statements withdrawing support for the Orsted-Deepwater Wind South Fork Wind Farm by State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr. His central argument, that the increased potential output of the turbines is “a classic bait and switch,” is wrong on its face: The company that proposed the project no longer exists, having been absorbed by a Danish wind-power firm. New corporate entities are entitled to change the direction or scale of the companies they take over — that is a central idea in an open economy like ours. Consider the epic success of Southampton’s Tate’s Cookies, whose home-style, number-one favorite chocolate chip cookie now can be found coast to coast.

Similarly, opposition to a planned cable-landing site in Wainscott from the ocean beach has appeared almost entirely speculative, as have guesses about what the wind farm’s impact would be on electric rates. Somewhat more pertinent, but unspecific nonetheless, are concerns from some in the commercial fishing industry who fear the loss of productive grounds as offshore wind projects eventually multiply. 

There are any number of strange aspects to the no-Deepwater mania. One is that the site of the turbines, about 35 miles east of Montauk Point, is actually closer to Rhode Island than Long Island, that only the electricity produced and a cable will come here. In addition, some among the project’s ill-wishers seem to come from a perspective that not only is renewable energy better, but that Orsted-Deepwater expects to produce far more power than had been anticipated when the project was first discussed. The complaint that the wind farm will benefit consumers beyond the South Fork is a hard criticism to fathom when our region has been silent while using the often-dirty watts produced in other ways. It is not clear how a market-based green energy contribution to reducing global warming is a bad thing.

Of course, they could be right. The hardware associated with the cable under Beach Lane in Wainscott might be an eyesore. Electricity prices might rise. Commercial fishing might be affected. But these costs pale in comparison with the myriad negative impacts of climate change, some of which are already being felt here.

There could be a savvy endgame to Mr. Thiele’s opposition, however. He has long pressed for the disclosure of the Long Island Power Authority’s deal with Deepwater and its successor, to no avail. A bill he plans to introduce in the State Assembly would force the utility to release its contract with Orsted-Deepwater. By adding his high-profile voice, Mr. Thiele may be able to shake the company’s confidence and compel it to come clean on an arrangement with LIPA that should never have been kept secret.