September 22, 2022
New Jersey

N.J. will increase targets for offshore wind production to help battle climate change, Murphy says

By Matt Arco | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com | Sep. 21, 2022 | www.nj.com

Gov. Phil Murphy announced Wednesday he wants New Jersey to rely more on offshore electric wind generation to help the state cut its greenhouse gas emissions and run on renewable energy to fight climate change.

Murphy, appearing alongside New York Gov. Kathy Hochul in New York City, said the new goal is for the state to increase offshore electric wind generation to get to 11,000 megawatts of usage by 2040. That’s an increase from his previous goal of 7,500 megawatts by 2035.

“This is an aggressive target, but it is an achievable one,” Murphy said. “Reaching this goal will allow us to power millions of New Jersey homes and businesses … with the breezes off the Jersey Shore.”

“We know climate change is not only real but it’s existential,” he added.

Ed Potosnak, executive director of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, praised Murphy’s announcement.

“I was thrilled to attend today’s Climate Week celebration in New York City, and even more excited to hear Governor Murphy announce New Jersey will increase offshore wind production,” Potosnak said in a statement. “Today’s announcement is a promise of a strong clean energy future with good-paying union jobs and a stable long-term economy in New Jersey.”

Murphy, a Democrat, has set a lofty target of cutting emissions 50% by 2030 and 100% by 2050 in New Jersey, a coastal state that has been battered by major storms in recent years. He also signed an environmental justice law in 2020 to protect vulnerable communities from pollution, returned New Jersey to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, increased the number of wind farms in the state, and signed laws to boost solar energy and electric vehicles in the state.

But some environmentalists have criticized his administration for not doing enough to combat climate change. EmpowerNJ, a coalition of environmental groups, has taken Murphy’s administration to court to push for more action.

At the same time, Republicans have warned Murphy’s energy master plan will drive up costs for the state’s residents.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2022/09/22/n-j-will-increase-targets-for-offshore-wind-production-to-help-battle-climate-change-murphy-says/