Wind Power News: New Jersey
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Murphy’s picks for Pinelands Commission draw criticism from environmentalists
The Pinelands Preservation Alliance identified the nominees as Elvin Montero, the deputy executive director of the Chemistry Council of New Jersey; Davon McCurry, head of marketing and government affairs for the offshore wind power company Ørsted; and Laura Matos, the general manager of a public relations company who has worked in various government policy roles under Murphy and Hillary Clinton in 2016 when Clinton ran in the presidential primary. Complete story »
Huge spending plan for N.J. wind energy and pandemic-related projects sails through despite GOP objections
State lawmakers on Tuesday approved a major spending plan from Gov. Phil Murphy‘s administration that includes allocating $265 million for a massive wind energy project in Salem County and $100 million to convert the emergency department at Hackensack University Medical Center into a trauma center to treat the most critically injured patients. In three votes in just under an hour, the state Joint Budget Oversight Committee voted along party lines to approve spending $700 million in state taxpayer money and . . . Complete story »
Legislator says Murphys off-shore wind farm plan is full of hot air
Governor Phil Murphy and his appointees to the Board of Public Utilities have yet to disclose the price tag on his far-reaching energy master plan announced nearly two years ago, and Senator Anthony M. Bucco today chided the front office for its lack of transparency with New Jersey families. At an NJBIA meeting in February 2020, administration officials shared the BPU was conducting a cost study that would likely be released the following month. Over a year and a half . . . Complete story »
City Council criticizes wind farm developer for “circus” meeting
Members of City Council denounced the company that is developing a proposed offshore wind energy farm for staging a “dog and pony show” instead of holding what they said should have been a legitimate public meeting focusing on the project’s impact on Ocean City. The Danish company Orsted organized a town hall meeting at the Ocean City Music Pier on Nov. 6 to outline its plans to build a wind farm 15 miles off the coast between Atlantic City and . . . Complete story »
Wind-farm builder tries to calm worries
The builder of New Jersey’s first planned offshore wind farm rejected renewed attacks by some Shore residents who fear that the sight of turbines on the horizon will keep tourists away, damage the coastal economy and erode property values. Officials for the Ocean Wind 1 wind farm off Atlantic City and Ocean City said the turbines, due to be built between 15 and 27 miles offshore, will only be visible from the coastline on the clearest days, and that they . . . Complete story »
Controversial wind farm discussed at OC Town Hall
OCEAN CITY – A Nov. 6 open house, hosted by Ocean City, in conjunction with Ocean Wind representatives, addressed public questions, comments and concerns regarding the proposed offshore wind project. Attendants entering the Ocean City Music Pier, where the open house was held, were immediately met with opposition to the project, as signs of protest – “Save Our Shoreline” and “Whales and Turbines Don’t Mix” – were on display outside, as well as an inflatable whale pool float and signs . . . Complete story »
A windy war of words in Ocean City
OCEAN CITY – With some in favor, and more opposed, local residents turned out in force Saturday morning for a public meeting on Ocean Wind 1, the furthest along of three offshore wind projects in the works for the New Jersey coast. More than 200 people attended to hear an extensive presentation on the project from Ørsted staff members and to ask questions. The Danish energy company won a solicitation from New Jersey’s Board of Public Utilities for the first 1,100-megawatt . . . Complete story »
Offshore wind farm project generates debate
An open house in Ocean City on Saturday to discuss the pros and cons of an offshore wind project, proposed for 15 miles off the South Jersey coast, evoked interest, concerns, questions, opposition and support. The event was held to update the public on the status of the project, but much of the forum at the Music Pier was a question-and-answer session between the audience and the developers of the wind farm. Concerns over how the project could affect tourism, . . . Complete story »
Ocean City residents worry an offshore wind farm will destroy the resort without easing climate change
On a windy summer night in Ocean City, Suzanne Hornick stood in the sand below the boardwalk’s Music Pier gazing out at the Atlantic Ocean. “I used to dive off this,” she said, “Into what was 10 feet of water, at least I hope it was 10 feet. Yeah, I was the bad girl.” Hornick grew up here, married, had her kids, and she loves living in Ocean City. “We have a parade once a month,” she said, “and if . . . Complete story »
Ocean City mayor: Wind turbines should not be seen from beach
OCEAN CITY – Mayor Jay Gillian has called on regulators to ensure wind turbines could not be seen from the beach, a change that would require a major realignment for a billion-dollar offshore energy project. In comments made at the Thursday City Council meeting, and reiterated in his weekly message to residents, Gillian took his sternest stance on the project so far. “My position moving forward is as follows: The wind turbines should not be seen,” Gillian said. “This project can . . . Complete story »
