FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
March 6, 2023
Contact: Michelle Peal
(908) 313-4178

Environmental Groups Applaud Solicitation of more Offshore Wind Projects

BPU Accepts New Applications For Wind Development In New Jersey

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TRENTON – New Jersey Wind Works, a coalition of environmental advocates, faith and labor leaders, is applauding efforts by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to continue offshore wind development in New Jersey. The board held a hearing today to open the third round of OREC solicitation for qualified offshore wind projects and will soon begin accepting applications from developers.

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New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, Sierra Club, New Jersey Environmental Lobby, Anglers for Offshore Wind, Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions, New Jersey Sustainable Business Council, UU Faith Action, Waterspirit, New Jersey Conservation Foundation, Great Egg Harbor River Council Association, Pinelands Preservation Alliance, NJ Audubon, and GreenFaith Alliance expressed overwhelming support for continued responsible development of offshore wind in New Jersey.

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“Last year, Governor Murphy increased New Jersey’s offshore wind goal by nearly 50%, to 11,000 megawatts (MW) by 2040. We’re talking about powering over a million homes and businesses with clean energy, and these investments will bring good, union, family sustaining jobs to our state. I applaud the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities for taking the steps necessary to keep us on track,” said Ed Potosnak, Executive Director, New Jersey LCV. “The transition to a clean energy economy is vital to protecting the sensitive coastal communities currently threatened by increasingly severe storms, as well as improving our air quality and protecting our health. We look forward to working with the Murphy administration and legislative leaders to position New Jersey as a national leader in advancing responsibly developed offshore wind with the good local jobs it creates and the fight against climate change.”

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“Offshore wind will help create a more vibrant and sustainable clean energy economy while also strengthening our national security, since offshore wind energy will be produced and used domestically, so all New Jerseyans should support its responsible development,” said Richard Lawton, Executive Director, NJ Sustainable Business Council.

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“Responsible offshore wind power in New Jersey has the potential to jumpstart the state’s just transition to clean energy, and will make a significant difference in mitigating our state’s emissions,” said Anjuli Ramos-Busot, Executive Director- Sierra Club. “We are facing an urgent climate crisis that will impact every single New Jerseyan and it would be a missed opportunity to not take advantage of our unique position to capture clean energy off our coasts. We are eager to see this climate solution come to fruition while ensuring careful construction and consideration to communities and wildlife in order to make this transition just.”
 

“After over a decade of careful planning, we are eager to see offshore wind finally coming to the Jersey Shore. We have been following the science closely—both the existing long-term studies, as well as new research specific to offshore wind,” said Heidi Yeh, Public Policy Director- Pinelands Preservation Alliance. “We are pleased to see that local academic institutions are being tapped to leverage their deep expertise on New Jersey’s coastal ecosystems. New Jersey is blessed with offshore geology and wind speeds that render it a prime vehicle for the state’s energy transition.”

“Offshore wind development is an essential component of New Jersey's transition to a healthier, more prosperous clean energy future," said Tom Gilbert, Campaign Director for Rethink Energy and co-executive director of NJ Conservation Foundation. "We must urgently transition away from reliance on fossil fuels that are harming public health and wildlife to clean, renewable energy such as offshore wind while taking all steps necessary to avoid and minimize environmental impacts through sound siting and mitigation measures."

“New Jersey is in a climate emergency, caused and exacerbated by use of fossil fuels.  Emissions from those fuels are responsible for the suffering of New Jersey residents with pulmonary diseases and cancer.” said Anne Poole, President - New Jersey Environmental Lobby. “For a decade, scientists and engineers have been testing the feasibility of wind farms and assessing the possible impacts on wildlife. For the sake of our state, It is time to stop the misrepresentations.  The development of offshore wind energy must move ahead.” 

There were about 80 proposals submitted by a total of 16 companies during the last round of solicitations by the NJ BPU from wind developers. Environmental advocates who support offshore wind development are hoping and expecting even more this time.