3 of 4 for expanding offshore wind in the Garden State

Trenton, NJ (October 28, 2021) By wide margins, New Jersey voters support expanding offshore wind energy in the state and see it as beneficial to addressing climate change and improving the economy, a new poll from Nexus Polling, the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, and the George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication finds.

Three-quarters (75%) of New Jersey voters support expanding offshore wind in the state, and majorities say expanding offshore wind would be good for:
• The state’s economy — 66%
• Creating good-paying jobs — 64%
• The state’s environment — 58%
• Addressing climate change — 57%
• Reducing air pollution — 57%
• Impact on their electric bill — 55%
• The reliability of their electricity — 53%
• The health of New Jerseyans — 51%

“New Jersey voters want the state to reduce climate change and increase clean energy,” said Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz, director of the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication. “They see offshore wind as a key part of the state’s energy future.”

“These results show that the people of New Jersey get it,” said Dr. Edward Maibach, director of the George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication. “New Jersey and the United States are ready for a new clean, renewable energy industry that will generate thousands of jobs, improve public health and help protect our coastlines.”

“The poll results clearly show that New Jerseyans understand the benefits that offshore wind will provide to our state — in terms of the jobs that will be created and the Jersey Shore communities that will be protected from flooding and sea level rise caused by climate change,” said Ed Potosnak, Executive Director, New Jersey LCV. “We have an opportunity to lead the nation in creating good local jobs in the 21st century clean energy economy, and we look forward to working with the governor, legislative leaders and local communities in fulfilling New Jersey’s clean energy goals and in positioning our state as a leader in this fast-growing industry.”

“As we mark the 9th anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, we continue to work with families to get them home and give them the opportunity to become whole. Most of our communities are no better prepared for storms and rising seas than we were in 2012 – clean energy like offshore wind is key to moving into the future and keeping our Shore communities whole and thriving,” said Jody Stewart for New Jersey Organizing Project.

The survey of 858 registered voters in New Jersey was conducted October 18-25 and has a margin of error of +/- 3.7%.

Even though offshore wind turbines will be located far enough from the Shore that they will be barely visible on the clearest days, a small group of opponents claim their presence would somehow make the Shore less desirable. The poll found that a majority of New Jersey voters don’t agree with such claims:

• By roughly four-to-one, voters say it is more important to increase the amount of clean energy in the state, even if it means there will be wind turbines off the coastline (79% vs 21%).
• More than six in 10 voters say they are not concerned about being able to see offshore wind turbines more than 15 miles from New Jersey’s coast (62%) or appearing about an inch above the horizon (61%).

Other key findings include:
• Nearly two-thirds (65%) say they’d be more likely to vote for a political candidate who supports expanding offshore wind.
• More than three-quarters (78%) say the primary goal of the state’s energy policy should be to achieve 100% clean energy by 2050.
• More than eight in 10 (81%) voters, including 91% of Democrats, 71% of independents, and 72% of Republicans, say expanding offshore wind energy is an important part of achieving 100% clean energy by 2050.

Click here to view the poll results.