Two top Democrats in Trenton want a larger say in the next round of offshore wind farms in New Jersey.
State Senate President Nicholas Scutari (D-22) and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-19) released a statement about “legislature has concerns about the BPU’s approach on the offshore wind projects” upon reports that four bids were received by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) in response to its third solicitation for the development of offshore wind projects off the coast of New Jersey.
“There are still many unanswered questions about the economic impact these projects will have on ratepayers as well as potential impacts to one of our state’s largest economic drivers, tourism at the shore,” the pair of lawmakers said in a press statement. “The BPU should be able to share these impacts with the communities affected and the legislature before moving forward with these new offshore projects.”
Politics of Wind Farms
The issue of offshore wind farms has been a focus of GOP lawmakers with all 120 members of the State Senate and Assembly on the ballot this year. The Murphy Administration is advocating for the wind farms as a key component to a clean energy economy that would create jobs in the state and fight climate changes at the same time.
But driven by complaints from local politicians, activists and the death of whales—including one this past weekend— Republicans have pushed back against what they characterize as an extremist energy agenda they claim will cost taxpayers.
New Projects
If approved, the four new projects would more than double the number of wind farms built off its coast if they are approved by regulators. Among the companies who submitted plans to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities that has overseen the projects include
- Community Offshore Wind, a joint company of Germany-based RWE and New York-based National Grid, offered a plan that would build a wind farm 37 miles off of Long Beach Island, aiming to generate enough electricity to power 500,000 homes.
- Leading Light Wind, from Chicago-based Invenergy and New York-based energyRE, proposed a project 40 miles off Long Beach Island, consisting of up to 100 turbines, enough to power 1 million homes.
- Atlantic Shores, the Shell New Energies US and EDF Renewables North America company, submitted a bid to build a second as yet unnamed project 10 to 20 miles offshore. The companies have lease areas in the large expanse of ocean between Atlantic City and Barnegat Light on the northern tip of Long Beach Island, but they did not specify exactly where the second project would be built.
Bucco Weighs In
After the statement from Scutari and Coughlin, State Senate Minority Leader Anthony Bucco renewed his call for a pause on all wind farm projects to determine impacts that these projects will have on taxpayers, tourism, marine life and the environment.
“Concerns that Republicans raised surrounding the financial impacts of offshore wind were largely dismissed as Governor Murphy and legislative allies gave Orsted a $1 billion bailout,” said Bucco in a press statement. “That money should have gone back to utility customers, not to foreign companies while sticking residents with higher bills.
“If Democrats are sincere about this, they have the ability to come back to Trenton right now and join us to do the right thing to protect ratepayers and marine life. “
Murphy Stands Ground
Despite the concerns of Trenton lawakers, the Murphy Administration said they would continue to press on.
“Gov. Murphy understands the emerging offshore wind industry has the potential to generate billions of dollars and contribute thousands of new jobs to our economy,” Tyler Jones, a spokesperson for the administration, said in a press statement. “The projects are a vital part of Gov. Murphy’s commitment to combatting climate change and moving New Jersey to a 100% clean energy economy by 2035, which will add even more good-paying green energy jobs to our state.
“The Murphy administration is firmly committed to New Jersey becoming a national leader in offshore wind development and addressing the ever-increasing dangers of climate change.”
Murphy was voted in to represent the people and based on his track record that was a mistake. Any politician seeking election in November May want to consider their future. The population is opposed to Off Shore Wind turbines and the destruction to the ocean, mammals and the state of New Jersey. He has no right to proceed without the public being well aware. The entire concept is a failure if it’s at the cost of the ocean and our shores can’t be protected from invasion. The devastation that’s also possible due to interference with radar and sonar for ships and plane accidents is down right murder.