Gov. Murphy Inaugural a Turning Point for New Jersey Offshore Wind Power

Trenton, NJ (January 16, 2018) – Governor Phil Murphy delivered his inaugural address today, promising to “invest aggressively in renewable energy” as part of his plan to confront climate change and uphold the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. On the campaign trail, Murphy pledged to jumpstart offshore wind power in New Jersey with a commitment to 3,500 MW – enough to power 1.5 million homes in the Garden State. After coming out strong in 2010 with passage of the first state policy to advance offshore wind power in the U.S., efforts in New Jersey have stalled. Today’s clear commitment to advancing renewable energy sends a strong signal to the booming global offshore wind industry that New Jersey is firmly committed to advancing a clean energy economy.

In response, Collin O’Mara, President and CEO of National Wildlife Federation, said:

“Today, Governor Murphy promised exactly the kind of bold leadership New Jersey needs by committing to act on climate change and invest aggressively in clean energy. We look forward to seeing swift action by this new Administration to deliver on the Governor’s campaign pledge by advancing responsibly developed offshore wind projects that will bring clean air, thousands of jobs and reliable, affordable power to New Jersey. We have no time to waste in building a clean energy future for both people and wildlife, and we applaud Governor’s Murphy’s early, clear commitment to bring climate solutions online.”

Eric Stiles, President and CEO of New Jersey Audubon, state affiliate of NWF, said:

“NJ Audubon is committed to working with Governor Murphy to realize his bold energy agenda.  Climate change is a grave threat to the survival of wildlife and habitat of NJ.  We need to promote an agenda which rapidly expands wind and other renewable energy while ensuring they are properly sited.  NJ Audubon is dedicated to working with the Governor and legislature to provide incentives for the right technologies in appropriate locations.”

Additional resources on offshore wind power:

• To learn more about the status of US offshore wind development and how this resource is uniquely able to deliver huge amounts of clean energy while protecting wildlife, curbing climate pollution and creating local jobs, visit OffshoreWind.NWF.org.
• Offshore wind produces energy when it’s needed most during extreme winter weather, while cutting the pollution that’s fueling climate disruption.
• For maps and the latest updates on the federal offshore wind leasing and permitting process off the coast of New Jersey, visit the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s New Jersey page.