Atlantic City, N.J. — Today, Governor Phil Murphy made good on his campaign promise to make New Jersey the nation’s leader on offshore wind power. Governor Murphy signed an Executive Order that will commit New Jersey to 3,500 MW by 2030, the largest state offshore wind goal in America and enough to power 1.5 million homes. The order also directs New Jersey state government to fully implement the 2010 Offshore Wind Economic Development Act with a solicitation of 1,100 MW – the nation’s largest to date.

“Governor Murphy campaigned on a pledge to make New Jersey the nation’s leader on offshore wind and he’s now delivering on his promise. On the heels of Gov. Murphy ordering New Jersey’s return to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) to reduce carbon emissions, Governor Murphy has now taken the critical step of building a new generation of infrastructure with a goal of 100 percent clean energy by 2050. Advancing responsibly developed offshore wind projects will bring clean air, thousands of jobs and reliable, affordable power to New Jersey. We have no time to waste in building a clean energy future for both people and wildlife, and we applaud Gov. Murphy’s immediate, bold action to bring climate solutions online.”

Murphy’s order includes instructions for wildlife protection. “The Plan will focus on critical components of offshore wind development, including job growth, workforce development, data collection, and appropriate determination of facilities, as well as ensuring that natural resources are protected,” it reads.

Today’s action sends a strong signal to the booming global offshore wind industry that New Jersey is committed to building a clean energy economy and leading the nation in pursuit of this critically needed resource. The announcement was applauded by a broad, diverse set of stakeholders including national and local business, labor, and environmental leaders including New Jersey Audubon, the state affiliate of National Wildlife Federation.

“NJ Audubon is committed to working with Governor Murphy to realize his bold energy agenda. Climate change is a grave threat to the survival of wildlife and habitat of New Jersey,” said Eric Stiles, president and CEO of New Jersey Audubon. “We need to promote an agenda which rapidly expands wind and other renewable energy while ensuring they are properly sited. NJ Audubon is dedicated to working with the Governor and legislature to provide incentives for the right technologies in appropriate locations.”

Also this week, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo released the state’s offshore wind master plan calling for 2,400 MW of offshore wind energy by 2030 with a specific commitment to procure 800 MW over the next 2 years. In April, Massachusetts is set to announce winners of offshore wind bidding for at least 400 MW of offshore wind, with a state target of 1,600 megawatts of offshore wind power by 2027.

Amber Hewett • January 31, 2018 •