MANASQUAN, NJ — A significant community education meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 19, 2024, at 6:30 PM at the Manasquan Community Senior Center, located at 63 Atlantic Ave. The meeting, organized by StoptheHighRiskPowerCables.org, aims to address public concerns regarding the offshore wind transmission lines proposed for Sea Girt, Manasquan, Wall, and Howell.
The Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Interconnection Cable Project plans to install 700-800 turbines capable of generating nearly 6,000 megawatts of power—significantly more than the now-closed Oyster Creek nuclear plant.
These cables, potentially placed 3.5 to 8 feet underground near homes and schools, raise health and environmental concerns, particularly around the Sea Girt Beach landing area, which is home to protected birds and plants.
Stop the High-Risk Power Cables, a bipartisan, self-funded grassroots group, calls for a pause on the project until the potential risks are thoroughly assessed.
The community meeting will feature a panel of public and private sector speakers who will discuss the facts, ongoing legal actions, and how other communities are responding to similar threats.
Confirmed speakers include Manasquan Mayor Michael Mangan, Sea Girt Mayor Donald Fetzer, and other notable advocates and officials.
With contractors already scouting the area for project bids due by September 30, 2024, the group emphasizes the urgency of community action. The issue will also be discussed at the upcoming Sea Girt town council meeting on Wednesday, August 14, where local residents are expected to express their concerns.
The organization offers various opportunities for interviews and visual coverage, including volunteers distributing meeting flyers and interviews with residents living near the proposed cable routes. For more details, visit Stop the High-Risk Power Cables.