JERSEY CITY, NJ – The National Wildlife Federation and New Jersey Audubon heralded today’s major commitment by Governor Phil Murphy to more than double New Jersey’s offshore wind goal, which will create new jobs and a strong economy, while also protecting wildlife and communities from climate change. Joined by former Vice President Al Gore, Governor Murphy signed an Executive Order increasing the state’s offshore wind goal to 7,500 megawatts by 2035, while underscoring the importance of responsibly developing this critical climate change solution.
Developing 7,500 megawatts of offshore wind energy will power more than 3 million Garden State homes with clean, renewable energy. Today’s announcement builds on New Jersey’s recent progress in awarding its first, and the nation’s largest, offshore wind project contract earlier this summer and sends a clear signal to the offshore wind investment community that New Jersey has a long term, large scale commitment to build a local offshore wind industry.
The National Wildlife Federation and state affiliate New Jersey Audubon support the responsible development of offshore wind power, including strong protections for wildlife every step of the way. Leadership from both organizations applauded this major step forward for clean energy and climate solutions in New Jersey:
“Governor Murphy’s major announcement today doubling the state’s offshore wind goal comes at a historic time for confronting the climate crisis,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “We applaud the governor for his remarkable leadership raising the bar on New Jersey’s clean energy targets. Responsibly developed offshore wind power is a golden opportunity for New Jersey and our nation to create good-paying careers, strengthen our economy, and protect people and wildlife from climate impacts.”
“As recent reports have shown, we have lost billions of birds in the last few decades, insects are dying off at an alarming rate, and we are in the midst of a wildlife crisis, which are all being driven, at least in part, by climate change. Thankfully, Governor Murphy has decided to take this challenge head on with his announcement that the state plans to reach 7,500 MW of responsibly developed offshore wind energy by 2035,” said Eric Stiles, president and CEO of New Jersey Audubon. “This goal is a bold solution for a problem that requires immediate action, and we applaud the governor’s vision for a clean energy future that fights climate change while protecting our natural resources.”
The National Wildlife Federation and New Jersey Audubon joined a large, diverse group of business, faith, labor, community, and conservation leaders across New Jersey in supporting today’s announcement. Click here for the press release.
For details on New Jersey’s offshore wind activities to date, click here.