Governor Signs Offshore Wind Bill

Today, Governor Murphy signed A5663 (McKeon) / S3985 (Smith). The law expands the definition of “qualified offshore wind project” to include “open access offshore wind transmission facility.

“This new law will help figure out the most cost-effective and environmentally beneficial ways to bring offshore wind power onto land. This is an issue that we need to take a careful look at as we are moving forward with these different offshore wind projects. Offshore wind can be the engine that drives our state to reach Governor Murphy’s 100% clean energy goals. Climate change impacts are happening now, and it is critical for New Jersey to transition to renewable energy sources to reduce those impacts. Offshore wind could feasibly power 1.2 million homes with clean energy,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “As we continue to rebuild our coast in the wake of multiple storm events, we need to invest in clean, renewable energy sources that do not contribute to climate change.”

A recent E2 report found that building one average offshore wind farm that produces 352MW, can create 4,313 jobs, $278.9 million in wages, and $702 million to a state’s economy. In June, Orsted won approval from the BPU to build a 1,100-megawatt, $1.6 billion offshore wind facility close to 15 miles away from the coast of Atlantic city. Atlantic Shores also won a solicitation to build an offshore wind farm in New Jersey.

“Governor Murphy has helped offshore wind move forward in New Jersey, but we need to do more. He has expanded New Jersey’s offshore wind goals to 7500MW, but his administration has not changed any rules, regulations, or funding mechanisms to make that happen. Instead of promoting more fossil fuel projects, Murphy needs to put a moratorium on fossil fuel projects and focus on renewable energy,” said Tittel. “Offshore wind will help us create thousands of jobs and will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, but first we need the rules and regulations in place to get us there.”

The Department of Environmental Protection recently released a study projecting dramatic sea-level rise in New Jersey of up to 8.8 feet over 2000 levels by 2100. A different study based on data from the Union of Concerned Scientists shows New Jersey with 9 communities among those in the nation with the greatest percentage of homes at risk of chronic flooding by 2060 and 2100.

“This new law will help bring offshore wind power onto land, but more needs to be done. The administration does not acknowledge the climate urgency. New Jersey is one of the most vulnerable states in the nation when it comes to climate impacts. We need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to help mitigate climate change impacts. However, Murphy has not put a moratorium on new fossil fuel projects, and DEP does not have rules regulating greenhouse gases or CO₂,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “We are glad that Murphy signed this bill, but we need to do more to combat climate change and protect New Jersey from the next storm.”