Pascrell Praises Historic Wind Energy Announcement

US Interior Department will conduct auction offshore New Jersey and New York to generate clean energy for millions

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) today reacted positively to today’s announcement by the U.S. Department of the Interior that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) will auction nearly half a million acres offshore New Jersey and New York next month to develop six lease areas – the most ever in one auction. These leases will generate power for potentially millions of Americans.

“Developing offshore wind is a foundational element of America’s clean energy future and our region is proud to be at the forefront,” said Rep. Pascrell, who has been a champion for offshore wind in the House for over a decade. “This historic announcement is a huge step forward in tackling the climate crisis for future generations and creating good paying union jobs in New Jersey and across the nation. New Jerseyans welcome the Biden administration’s announcement to build on our investments for a clean energy future.”

Rep. Pascrell is the lead House sponsor of the Incentivizing Offshore Wind Power Act, which was included in the Moving Forward Act and enacted into law in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 in 2020. It provides an investment tax credit for offshore wind development. Pascrell also fought to include offshore wind manufacturing incentives in the House-passed Build Back Better bill. In addition, he co-led a letter to support offshore wind development in the New York Bight.

###