Proposed Atlantic Wind Energy Lease Auction to Proceed

The federal government’s plan to auction the development rights to a huge offshore windfarm in the Atlantic Ocean between New York and New Jersey will proceed Thursday.

Groups representing the fishing industry in four states sought to delay the auction. But an agreement between the groups and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management will allow it to proceed.

Andrew Minkiewicz, a lawyer for the fishing groups, says they still will be able to seek a halt to the final sale during a federal court proceeding now scheduled for Feb. 8, 2017. Minkiewicz says the delay gives both sides more time to submit documents. A judge in Washington, D.C., agreed to the plan Monday.

The groups, including scallop fishermen, claim the 127-square-mile project would harm their business.

A BOEM spokeswoman declined comment.