Posts in category: Maryland Terrapins

Step into the time machine with Lamar Jackson and take a trip down memory lane as he shares never-before-seen photos from his childhood! Amid all the contract drama that the QB is going through, it would be difficult for any athlete to go ahead and be relax. But, it seems Jackson is built differently. In a heartwarming moment, the NFL superstar dropped a nostalgic pic of himself as a kid and asked his fans to do the same.

But that’s not all – Jackson also shared a couple of throwback shots that showcase his signature style even back then. From humble beginnings to stardom, the story of Lamar Jackson is one of resilience and determination.

Rare photos of Lamar Jackson melt fans’ hearts

A tale of Lamar Jackson, who grew up in a poverty-stricken area of Pompano Beach, Florida. Despite facing numerous hardships and tragedies, Lamar was always drawn to football and excelled at it from a young age.

Recently, Lamar Jackson shared some rarely-seen photographs of himself on his Instagram that have captured the hearts of his fans.

One shows him standing confidently, hands tied behind his back, with his perfectly coiffed hair stealing the show. And if that doesn’t make you smile, the next one surely will – a young Lamar dressed to the nines in a dashing white outfit, looking sharp as ever and ready to party! It’s clear that even after 21 years, Lamar is still the same at heart, and we’re here for it.

Lamar had a close relationship with his mother, who served as his coach and believed in him even when others doubted his abilities.

He played varsity football for 2 years at Boynton Beach High School and gained social media fame, but his impressive stats only earned him a three-star recruit rating by ESPN and 24/7 Sports.

READ ALSO – “We Just Keep Going Down That Road”: HC John Harbaugh Addresses Lamar Jackson’s Announcement of Leaving Ravens

Lamar excelled at Louisville, setting records and winning the Heisman Trophy in 2016, showcasing his resilience and determination.

Lamar addresses fans amidst Ravens drama

On March 27, amidst drama with the Ravens, Lamar took to Twitter to address his fans in a heartfelt letter. He expressed his gratitude for their unwavering support and reminded them not to believe everything they read about him.

Lamar personally answered their questions about his future plans and revealed that he had requested a trade from the Ravens on March 2nd.

He had to make a business decision that was best for his family because the organization did not meet his value. Lamar’s ultimate goal is to help a team win the Super Bowl, and he will continue to be close to his fans in Baltimore Flock nation and the entire State of Maryland.

Despite any setbacks, Lamar reassured his fans that they will see him again.

In the face of adversity and challenges, Lamar Jackson has always remained true to himself and his dreams. His recent Instagram posts showcase his fun-loving and confident personality, reminding us that he’s still the same Lamar at heart.

As we await his next move, one thing is for sure – Lamar Jackson’s story is far from over, and we can’t wait to see where it takes him next.

WATCH THIS STORY – Richard Sherman criticizes Patrick Mahomes in the midst of Lamar Jackson’s contract issues.

Most people never have the opportunity to gain insight into what their parents were like during their younger days, but two sisters in New Jersey did after discovering letters written to their Navy veteran father from his best friend during World War II.

Susan Sturm and Cindy Sommer were tasked with the responsibility of cleaning out their parents’ home following the death of their 96-year-old mother in January 2021. The women had lost their father, Al Sitarski, years prior in July 2012 at the age of 91.

While in the attic, the sisters came across a brown envelope with the words “A Very Sad Story About WWII” written on the front in Sitarski’s handwriting. Not knowing many details about their father’s four years in the Navy, they opened the envelope and discovered it was stuffed with letters from his longtime best friend, Navy Lt. Fred Fonda.

WITH WORLD WAR II AIRMAN’S REMAINS FOUND, RELATIVE FINALLY ‘HAS CLOSURE’ FOR WHOLE FAMILY

“The letters in this envelope were a collection in chronological order of all of the letter’s that Fred wrote to my dad,” Sturm said, adding that the finding was “very touching and amazing.”

Al Sitarski, left, and Fred Fonda, right, shortly after enlisting in the Navy in 1942. (Susan Sitarski Sturm)

Prior to finding and reading the letters, Sturm and Sommer knew of Fonda, but were not aware of the extent of his friendship with their father – a friendship that would come to a tragic end with Fonda’s death in November 1945. Strum said she believed it affected her father for the rest of his life.

The sisters ultimately decided they were going to read every letter in the envelope, starting with Sturm. When she was finished she gave them to her sister, who ironically read them on Memorial Day 2021.

Both men also completed naval training at Cornell University before they were separated.

“These two men had such a bond,” Sturm said before taking the story back to where she knows it started – Sitarski and Fonda’s high school years.

WWII LOVE LETTERS HIDDEN BEHIND WALL IN NEW YORK HOME DELIVERED TO FAMILY 80 YEARS LATER

Both men attended Linden High School in Linden, New Jersey, and were “dearest, closest” friends, according to Sturm, but she thinks the friendship could have gone back further. Sitarski had been in Linden his entire life. Fonda, on the other hand, migrated to the area from Italy and became a nationalized citizen in 1931 at 10 years old.

After high school, they both attended the Newark College of Engineering before enlisting in the Navy in 1942. Both men also completed naval training at Cornell University before they were separated.

Fred Fonda, left, and Al Sitarski, right, pictured outside Cornell University in May 1943. (Susan Sitarksi Sturm)

Sturm said her father remained on the East Coast while Fonda was mostly on the West Coast. Both men also spent time on various ships.

“My dad’s ship was YMS104 based out of Solomons, Maryland. He actually made a replica of the ship,” Sommer said in an email. “I found the plans to the ship too. I think he must have learned every inch of it.”

Upon being separated, the men wrote each other often. 

It was clear both men had a great sense of humor while sharing their life updates.

Though the sisters only have access to the letters Fonda wrote Sitarski, Sturm said it was clear both men had a great sense of humor while sharing their life updates.

The conversations centered around women, hobbies, career updates and the future. Sturm said there was hardly any talk of the war, at least from Fonda’s end.

“I think in their heart of hearts they pictured the war will eventually be over, we’ll both be married, settle down and have children, our wives will be friends, and we’ll have BBQs,” Sturm said. “But it never happened.”

TIKTOK STAR AND WWII VETERAN ‘PAPA JAKE’ TURNS 100, WANTS FUTURE GENERATIONS TO KNOW HIS STORIES

On Nov. 9, 1945, just days after being promoted to lieutenant, Fonda was killed while decommissioning the USS Greene. The ship was one of many damaged beyond economical repair a month prior during Typhoon Louise in Okinawa, Japan.

Fonda was the lead damage control officer in charge of a group removing ammo from the ship’s aft handling room when an unknown gas surfaced and overtook the four men working in the magazine. Fonda attempted to rescue his fellow sailors, but ultimately died with them.

Fonda died at 4:12 p.m. from accidental asphyxiation due to oxygen deficiency, according to Medal Mulisha, a website that shares the stories behind unclaimed medals. He was initially buried at the Island Command Cemetery in Okinawa, Japan, before being repatriated to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

Because of his actions, he was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal.

“[He] died a hero,” Sturm said. “Dad never really spoke of it very much, but based upon their correspondence and their friendship, you could tell dad and Fred were dear friends.”

USS Greene (DD-266) pictured by the U.S. Navy at some point between 1919 and 1922. (U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command)

Though the letters came to an end, the women are hoping to find the missing pieces of the story.

“At this point, we had all the letters Fred wrote to my dad, but we obviously did not have the letters my dad wrote to Fred,” Sturm said.

After Sommer read the letters on Memorial Day, she came across a post by Medal Mulisha about Fonda. Not knowing anything about the site, she was convinced it was a sign from her father and Fonda that they are reunited in Heaven.

Since then, the women have been working to see if their father’s letters are somewhere out there by researching Fonda’s family and trying to connect with the relatives they find. They were able to contact a cousin of his in Italy, but that person was not able to help and said communication with the Italian relatives dwindled after Fonda died.

They discovered Fonda had a sister named Anna and, as of February, are still searching for her. Strum said she would be 103 years old, and could possibly be deceased, but neither one of them have found an obituary for her.

Navy Lt. Fred Fonda pictured holding a dog while at sea sometime in the 1940s. (Susan Sitarski Strum)

Sturm did some digging and found who she thought owned the former Fonda home in Linden, but he was a renter. 

“I was hoping and praying in some way, shape, matter or form that maybe the letters that dad wrote Fred were sitting in the attic of the house,” Sturm said. “You never know.”

The renter put her in contact with the property owner, who knew of Fonda’s story, but he told Sturm he was not the one who purchased the home directly after the Fonda family lived there.

Navy Lt. Fred Fonda and shipmates on board the USS Greene.  (Susan Sitarski Sturm)

Though the women are unsure of the letters’ whereabouts, they did receive some insight into what their father might have written to Fonda during a project with Voyage Media’s True War Stories: Mission Report.

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In a Feb. 6 podcast episode titled “A Wartime Hero’s Letters,” the show used Sturm’s and Sommer’s research and Fonda’s letters to reconstruct what Sitarski might have said back to Fonda. Because of the 42-minute episode, the sisters were able to imagine what their father’s letters looked like.

“Oh my gosh, I feel like I knew dad when he was 18, 19, 20 years old,” Sturm said.

Fred Fonda, left, and Al Sitarski, right, in U.S. Navy dress uniforms in the early 1940s. (Susan Sitarski Sturm)

Though their mission is not yet complete, Sturm said simply finding Fonda’s letters to her father was “so wonderful.”

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She added that sharing the stories of veterans, even from decades ago, is “crucially important” so that “people continue to understand what these men and women do to protect us” and are aware of the dedication and sacrifice involved.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — More than 3,000 pounds of boneless beef chuck product are being recalled because it may be contaminated with shiga toxin-producing E. coli O103, the Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

Elkhorn Valley Packing, a Harper, Kan. establishment, is recalling 3,436 pounds of boneless beef chuck product. The boneless beef chuck items — “Elkhorn Valley Pride Angus Beef 61226 BEEF CHUCK 2PC BNLS; Packed on 2/16/23″ — were packed on Feb. 16, 2023.

The complete list of serial numbers and box count numbers for the boneless beef chuck product that are subject to recall can be found here. The product subject to recall bears establishment number “EST. M-19549″ inside the USDA mark of inspection.

These items were shipped to distributors, federal establishments, retail locations, and wholesale locations, which includes hotels, restaurants, and institutions, in Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

The problem was discovered when FSIS was conducting routine testing of ground beef derived from this product and the sample confirmed positive for STEC O103. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products, according to the FSIS.

Many clinical laboratories don’t test for non-O157 STEC, such as O103, because it is harder to identify than STEC O157:H7. People can become ill from STECs 2–8 days (average of 3–4 days) after consuming the organism.

Most people infected with STEC O103 develop diarrhea (often bloody) and vomiting, the FSIS stated. Some illnesses last longer and can be more severe. Infection is usually diagnosed by testing of a stool sample. Vigorous rehydration and other supportive care is the usual treatment; antibiotic treatment is generally not recommended. Most people recover within a week, but, rarely, some develop a more severe infection.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure, is uncommon with STEC O103 infection. This can occur in people of any age but is most common in children under 5 years old, older adults, and persons with weakened immune systems. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.

Distributors and other customers who have purchased these products for further processing should not use them or further distribute them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef product that has been cooked to a temperature of 160 degrees. The only way to confirm that ground beef is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature, https://www.fsis.usda.gov/safetempchart.

Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or live chat via Ask USDA.

Consumers can also browse food safety messages at Ask USDA or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov. For consumers that need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.

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The Chicago Bears held the key to the 2023 NFL draft until they traded the No. 1 pick to the Carolina Panthers.

The March 10 move dropped the Bears to No. 9. It’s just the second time in five years the franchise will select in the first round, and an early run on quarterbacks will help general manager Ryan Poles as he evaluates offensive linemen, defensive linemen and likely cornerbacks.

There is a chance four quarterbacks — and maybe a good one — could come off the board before the Bears select. They are unlikely to be in range for Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson, and it will be fascinating to see if Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter, who has character questions, slides through the first eight selections. If so, the Bears would be in position to grab one of the most talented players in the draft class.

The Bears own four of the top 64 picks, giving Poles flexibility he has lacked. A potential trade-down scenario at No. 9 would be intriguing if the Bears have a number of similarly graded players remaining on their board. That kind of opportunity likely wouldn’t materialize until they are on the clock.

Chicago Bears picks in 2023 NFL draft (April 27-29)

• Round 1: No. 9 overall
• Round 2: Nos. 53 and 61
• Round 3: No. 65
• Round 4: Nos. 103 and 133
• Round 5: Nos. 136 and 148
• Round 7: Nos. 218 and 258

Here’s how Brad Biggs sees the first round of the draft playing out.

The Panthers have cycled through eight starting quarterbacks since the 2018 season, even bringing Cam Newton back for a cameo in 2021. They traded up because they are going to draft one — and Stroud has the traits and frame.

Young measured 5-foot-10⅛ at the scouting combine. If he were 6-2, he would be a slam dunk as the top pick — and with that height, the Bears might have stayed put and selected him.

New Colts coach Shane Steichen spent two seasons working with Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia. In Richardson, he’ll get a prospect with a ton less college polish but even more dynamic athletic ability.

Would new Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort consider dealing down again? If not, he’s in position to take the first non-quarterback and get the draft’s most polished pass rusher.

The Seahawks already signed Dre’Mont Jones and Jarran Reed in free agency, and adding the large and explosive Wilson would complete a total makeover of the front.

Once considered a potential No. 1 pick, Carter will drop more because of teams needing quarterbacks than his much publicized character concerns.

Coach Josh McDaniels has a capable but injury-prone bridge quarterback in Jimmy Garoppolo. That gives Levis the opportunity to come along slowly — provided the veteran can remain on the field.

There is good competition to be the first cornerback drafted. Witherspoon rates the edge because he’s sticky in coverage and physical.

GM Ryan Poles can go with a lineman on either side of the ball and declare he has filled a pressing need. As a former offensive lineman — and having made only one major addition in free-agent guard Nate Davis — it seems smart to stay on the O-line. Jones is a redshirt sophomore with a sturdy frame and good athleticism. Bears coaches can sort out which side he’ll play on.

GM Howie Roseman generally sticks to premium positions with high draft picks, and the Eagles can keep a strength a strength by adding Van Ness to a loaded — but aging — front.

There’s plenty of debate about whether Skoronski has the arm length to be an elite left tackle. But any team drafting him will get a high-level player who can plug in wherever the greatest need is. Why not try him at left tackle to start?

The Texans have needs all over the place. With Smith, they can add an athletic and undersized edge rusher and hope he turns into their version of Haason Reddick.

If the Jets finally can close a deal to add Aaron Rodgers, they’re going to want to protect the quarterback in the pocket — and a lineman should be available at No. 13.

A cornerback might not be the Patriots’ greatest need, but facing Josh Allen, Tua Tagovailoa and likely Rodgers twice per season means there’s never enough at the position. Offensive tackle is an option too.

As the Packers transition to the Jordan Love era, getting a quarterback-friendly target in the middle of the field makes a lot of sense.

Porter’s combination of size, length and speed is tantalizing, and the Commanders have a big need at the position. He’s so talented he could be the first defensive back selected.

The Steelers signed Patrick Peterson, but he’s a cornerback place holder. Banks has the size and strength to fit in well with what coach Mike Tomlin likes to do.

The Lions traded T.J. Hockenson last season because they didn’t view the tight end as part of their future. They can replace him with a high-end talent in Kincaid, who was super productive in college and is a smooth route runner.

Wright is a mountain of a man — and the Buccaneers badly need to upgrade their offensive line.

Addison profiles as an instant-impact wide receiver in the NFL. The Seahawks to give QB Geno Smith help on the outside.

Murphy possesses great length and an explosive first step — and the Chargers need to get better up front. It’s a good fit.

Note: Miami Dolphins forfeited the 21st pick

Whether QB Lamar Jackson’s situation is resolved, the Ravens needs help at wide receiver. Flowers is a little undersized, but he’s skilled on the outside and inside, and that versatility is a plus.

If the Vikings don’t make a move to bolster the secondary, they can find a weapon to pair with Justin Jefferson. Smith-Njigba is a savvy route runner from the slot.

The Jaguars need an offensive tackle, but they have to improve on the back end too. Branch is a physical and active slot cornerback.

QB Daniel Jones had a cast of wide receivers that was arguably less talented than the Bears did last season. Johnston has the length and speed to be a big-time playmaker.

The Cowboys are getting older up front, and White has a great combination of size, power and quickness. He can likely play multiple spots on the line.

The Bills have to beef up protection for QB Josh Allen, particularly on the interior, and Tippmann should be able to slot in at any of the three spots.

An athletic player who moves well, Mauch likely will go from being a left tackle in college to guard in the NFL.

Kancey is an undersized three-technique with a good motor and excellent traits. He has good quickness, but there will be some questions about his size.

The Eagles don’t have a lot of needs. They could go with a cornerback or target a three-down back with the speed to hit home runs on the outside and power to be productive between the tackles.

Some scouts believe McDonald is a better athlete than a football player. The Chiefs need help on the edge after releasing Frank Clark in a cost-cutting move.

Motor vehicle theft is a growing problem in the United States. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, or NICB, an anti-crime and insurance fraud nonprofit organization, 932,329 vehicles were reported stolen to law enforcement in 2021 – up 6% from the previous year and up 17% from 2019.

The trend is likely due to several factors. First, during the COVID-19 pandemic, vehicles were more likely to be left sitting unattended and unused for longer than usual. Additionally, newer vehicles that use keyless entry and push-button ignitions can be more susceptible to theft, as criminals can use a tool to amplify a key fob’s signal. This can allow thieves to unlock and start a vehicle without having the key fob on their person. (Here is a look at the least reliable cars in America.)

While motorists nationwide now face a greater risk of vehicle theft than they have in many years, in some parts of the country, car owners are far more likely to be victims of car theft than in others.

Of the four metropolitan areas in New Jersey with available data, Trenton-Princeton ranks as having the highest motor vehicle theft rate. A total of 689 cars, trucks, and SUVs were reported stolen in the metro area in 2021, or about 178.5 for every 100,000 people.

For comparison, the statewide vehicle theft rate was 159.9 per 100,000 people the same year, the 11th lowest rate among states.

All data in this story is from National Insurance Crime Bureau’s 2021 Hot Spots Vehicle Theft Report.

Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) once again showed a judicial nominee put forth by the Biden administration is not ready for primetime.

Kato Crews is currently the United States magistrate judge of the United States District Court for the District of Colorado. He has been nominated for a district court seat in the state.

“Tell me how you analyze a Brady motion,” Kennedy told Crews. The Brady motion is a request by a defendant to compel prosecutors in a criminal case to turn over potentially favorable evidence. It is named after the Supreme Court case that affirmed it, Brady v. Maryland.

“How I analyze a Brady motion…Senator, in my four and half years on the bench, I don’t believe I’ve had the occasion to address a Brady motion in my career,” Crews replied.

“Do you know what a Brady motion is?” Kennedy asked.

“Senator, in my time on the bench, I’ve not had occasion to address that and so it’s coming to mind at the moment what a Brady motion is,” Crews said.

Kennedy then asked if Crews was familiar with the Brady v. Maryland. Crews said he had heard the name of the case but when asked what it was about, Crews gave a wrong answer.

“I believe that the Brady case involved something regarding the Second Amendment,” Crews said. “I have not had an occasion to address that. If that issue were to come before me, I would certainly analyze at that Supreme Court precedent and apply it as I would need to with the facts in front of me.”

.@SenJohnKennedy: “Do you know what a Brady motion is?”

Biden federal trial court nominee Kato Crews: “It’s not coming to mind at the moment what a Brady motion is.” pic.twitter.com/oVPEnE4CfF

— Conservative War Machine (@WarMachineRR) March 22, 2023

It is possible the reason Crews thought Brady v. Maryland had to do with the Second Amendment is because the Brady Campaign to to Prevent Gun Violence being a nationally known gun control group.

Newswise — The Center for Bioenergy Innovation has been renewed by the Department of Energy as one of four bioenergy research centers across the nation to advance robust, economical production of plant-based fuels and chemicals. CBI, led by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, is focused on the development of nonfood biomass crops and specialty processes for the production of sustainable jet fuel to help decarbonize the aviation sector.

The DOE announcement provides $590 million to the centers over the next five years. Initial funding for the four centers will total $110 million for Fiscal Year 2023. Outyear funding will total up to $120 million per year over the following four years, contingent on availability of funds.

“To meet our future energy needs, we will need versatile renewables like bioenergy as a low-carbon fuel for some parts of our transportation sector,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “Continuing to fund the important scientific work conducted at our Bioenergy Research Centers is critical to ensuring these sustainable resources can be an efficient and affordable part of our clean energy future.” 

CBI’s national laboratory, university and industry partners will take a multipronged, accelerated approach over the next five years to producing sustainable jet fuel. Focus areas include:

• Developing perennial crops that require less water and fertilizer and yield high amounts of biomass with the desired qualities for conversion to bioproducts.
• Refining an efficient, cost-effective consolidated bioprocessing and co-treatment process using custom microbes to break down plants and ferment intermediate chemicals.
• Advancing the extraction of lignin from plants and chemically converting it into aviation fuel.
• Improving the chemical catalyst-based upgrading of intermediate bioproducts into jet fuel that can be blended with conventional fuel to significantly reduce aircraft carbon emissions.

CBI intends to reach Tier 1 validation of its jet biofuel, an aviation industry standard that determines the fuel’s properties are fit-for-purpose in existing and future airplane fleets. The development of renewable fuels is a key strategy to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from commercial aircraft.

“Our researchers are excited to apply the best of biology and chemistry and create sustainable jet fuel to help clean up our skies and stimulate a thriving bioeconomy,” said ORNL’s Jerry Tuskan, CBI chief executive officer. “CBI’s feedstocks-to-fuels process will support upgrading carbohydrates and lignin from corn stover, process-advantaged switchgrass and poplar biomass into a tunable portfolio of chemicals for jet biofuel.”

The new centers follow the success of pioneering bioenergy research centers established by DOE’s Office of Biological and Environmental Research within DOE’s Office of Science in 2007.

The ORNL-led CBI and its predecessor, the BioEnergy Science Center, demonstrated significant scientific breakthroughs in their mission to design ideal biomass feedstock crops and microbes to overcome the natural resistance of plants to being broken down and converted into fuels and products. In the last five years, CBI authored or co-authored 449 peer-reviewed journal articles that were cited 12,295 times by the scientific community In the same period CBI generated 57 invention disclosures, 32 patent applications, four license/option agreements and one start-up. The center has also reached more than 310,000 students, parents and teachers as a result of its educational outreach programs.

“CBI’s collaborative science model and foundational success are key to accelerating the innovation needed for widespread, sustainable and profitable production of jet fuel from lignocellulosic feedstocks,” said Stan Wullschleger, ORNL associate laboratory director for Biological and Environmental Systems Science.

“CBI builds on 15 years of success in applying scientific breakthroughs to meet the nation’s energy and decarbonization challenge,” said interim ORNL Director Jeff Smith. “CBI represents the national laboratory system at its best—developing scientific solutions to benefit the nation and inspiring the next generation of scientists through unique educational outreach.”

Current partners in the next generation of CBI with ORNL include the University of Georgia; National Renewable Energy Laboratory; Dartmouth College; University of Maryland Eastern Shore; Brookhaven National Laboratory; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Poplar Innovations Inc.; Pennsylvania State University; University of California, Davis; University of California San Diego; University of Tennessee; University of Wisconsin–Madison; University of Virginia; Washington State University; and France’s National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment.

UT-Battelle manages ORNL for DOE’s Office of Science. The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit http://science.energy.gov/.

Republican congressmen called for a halt to offshore windfarm development and GAO oversight of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s (BOEM) leasing process at a March 16 hearing on the boardwalk in Wildwood, New Jersey.

Reps. Jeff Van Drew and Christopher Smith of New Jersey, Andy Harris of Maryland, and Scott Smith of Pennsylvania convened the first congressional hearing into the matter amid a surge in whale and dolphin deaths along the New Jersey shore, which they attribute to survey work for the wind farms.

Twenty-nine whales have died on the East Coast since Dec. 1. And six dead dolphins have washed ashore in New Jersey in the past month, including one on the eve of the hearing.

More than 500 gathered in the convention center where the congressional delegation heard public testimony from local experts and stakeholders.

Congressmen Concerned

Van Drew explained that Danish energy company Orsted plans to build its newest offshore wind farm along the Jersey coast, just 15 miles from the Wildwood Convention Center.

“More than 50 percent of the wind energy leases have gone to foreign firms,” Van Drew said. “That means foreign countries will be controlling your power.”

He called attention to a letter from BOEM’s own fisheries scientist to the agency warning of dangers to whales from offshore wind.

“This is their own scientist warning BOEM that offshore wind will severely impact the whales, yet they moved ahead and completely ignored the few people in their group who would tell the truth,” Van Drew said,

Smith agreed.

“Like the canary in the coal mine, the recent spate of tragic whale deaths has brought increased scrutiny to the fast tracking of thousands of wind turbines off our coast,” he said.

Smith called the wind farm approval process “shoddy at best,” and called for independent analysis of the “ocean altering impact of these projects.”

He pointed to findings from a Carnegie Mellon study last year that noted a “substantial risk that Category 3 or higher hurricanes could destroy nearly half or more of the turbines at some locations.”

He expressed concern about the lack of “publicly available data on turbine failures,” and referenced a recent Bloomberg report that “Orsted A/S, the world’s largest developer of offshore wind farms asked authorities in April to stop maritime traffic near some of its sites after blades fell off one of its turbines off the coast of Denmark.”

Expert Testimony

Witnesses expressed concerns that nearly 100 towering wind turbines proposed off their coast would harm marine life and the environment, tourism, commercial fishing operations, and even safety on the water.

Seafreeze fisheries liaison Meghan Lapp testified that wind farm developments pose a serious safety concern for mariners, especially in fog and heavy weather.

“Orsted is not addressing it and the U.S. Coast Guard seems barely aware of it,” she said.

Lapp cited a variety of studies, including one by the National Academy of Sciences Engineering and Medicine in 2022 that found wind turbine generators can interfere with the radar systems that mariners rely on for navigation.

She is also concerned about the impact of turbines on commercial and recreational fishing.

“One European study showed a 10 percent decrease in primary productivity in the ocean inside and near wind farms.”

“We are facing the annihilation of our industry at the hands of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management,” Lapp claimed.

BOEM has already leased 2.3 million acres and plans to lease another 1.7 million to install an estimated 3,500 turbines on the Atlantic coast.

“The harm to these marine environments cannot be undone,” she concluded.

“Offshore wind is a new use of marine waters, requiring substantial scientific and regulatory reviews,” added Cindy Zipf, executive director of Clean Ocean Action.

Bob Stern of Save Long Beach Island questioned the impact of offshore wind on New Jersey’s tourism economy.

“We know that noise has a harmful impact on whales, but we don’t yet understand the impact of that noise on humans,” he said.

Stern claimed that sound from operating windmills can be heard underwater from 93 miles and that, despite the promises of wind farm developers, many of the turbines will be visible from shore.

Daniel LaVecchia, owner of LaMonica Fine Foods, cited a Cape May County Tourism study showing that offshore wind could result in a loss of visitor spending of $993 million over eight years. In the study of visitors, 20 percent percent of respondents indicated that the development of offshore wind would discourage them from returning to the area.

Why the Rush?

Given these concerns, the congressmen questioned the rush to put thousands of these turbines in the ocean and whether the 2026 deadline to use a 30 percent tax credit funded by the Inflation Reduction Act could be driving the pace.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Quality issued a statement on the eve of the hearings saying there is “no credible evidence that offshore wind-related survey activities could cause whale mortality,” but that it will “continue to monitor” the facts.

NOAA says its marine mammal stranding network has not linked any of the whale deaths to offshore wind technology.

Offshore wind farms are a key piece of the Biden administration’s climate agenda as they push for clean energy development.

Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, is an ardent supporter of offshore wind technology. His goal is for offshore wind to produce 11,000 megawatts of power for the state by 2040.

The state has already approved three offshore wind farms and is expected to approve more.

Van Drew announced that a follow-on hearing will be scheduled this spring.