Gov. Murphy Moving Forward on Offshore Wind- Gas Plants Stand in His Way

Speaking to a packed house of wind industry leaders at the IPF Supply Chain Conference, Governor Phil Murphy today announced the creation of a New Jersey Offshore Wind Supply Chain Registry. The registry, which will be developed as part of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s (NJEDA) membership in the Business Network for Offshore Wind, will create a free online portal where investors exploring offshore wind-related projects in New Jersey will be able to find Jersey-based companies to partner with or purchase from.

“Governor Murphy’s announcement to create a wind supply chain is a step in the right direction. But New Jersey needs to do more. We should be expanding our goals for offshore wind. We should be looking at 10,000MW or more now. This can help us move towards 100% clean energy. We now have a chance to really get offshore wind moving and benefit from the economic and environmental benefits and clean jobs that come with it,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “New Jersey needs to use renewable energy to create green jobs and a green economy, while stopping dirty power plants and other fossil fuel infrastructure from taking over the state. The Governor promoting renewable energy is a positive but all of the proposed fossil fuel projects stand in the way.”

There are several proposed fossil fuel projects underway in New Jersey. There are also 5 proposed natural gas powerplants and 8 pipelines that if combined, could emit more than up to 100 million metric tons of greenhouses gases into our air. In the meantime, New Jersey has received several applications for offshore wind projects.

“New Jersey will never get to achieve its full wind potential we keep on building more natural gas plants and pipelines.  The proposed fossil fuel projects in New Jersey would undermine our efforts to reduce carbon emissions and transition to a clean energy future. That is why Governor Murphy must put a moratorium on fossil fuel projects or else any progress for wind in New Jersey will be undermined,” said Tittel.

The Murphy Administration has yet to make action on these fossil fuel projects. Governor Christie even called him out for a lack of action on the North Bergen proposal. “He’s a hypocrite on this stuff,” Christie said. “And he’s just an ideologue.”

“It was Christie who stopped offshore wind and promoted natural gas pipelines and powerplants. Governor Murphy can shut Christie off by putting in a moratorium on fossil fuel projects. Being called names by Chris Christie is a good thing except in this case, Christie hit a nerve. Murphy can’t have it both ways, having 100% clean energy goals and keeping quite on the Meadowlands powerplant. We need to use renewable energy to create green jobs and a green economy, while stopping dirty power plants and other fossil fuel infrastructure from taking over the state. Governor Murphy needs to put a moratorium on new fossil fuel projects until we have the rules and programs in place to achieve his 100% clean energy goals by 2050,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.