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 are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Bill to promote Fishermen’s Energy offshore wind project now law
Gov. Phil Murphy has signed legislation that directs the state Board of Public Utilities to reconsider and approve the Fisherman’s Energy offshore wind project. The small-scale demonstration project planned for about three miles off Atlantic City previously had been rejected by the BPU, which said its electricity would be too expensive. Fisherman’s Energy may now submit an amended application, which the board is now authorized to approve under the law, according to a news release from Assembly Democrats. “Specifically, under . . . Complete story »
New renewables law will take some pushing, and some cash
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) signed a bill yesterday to double the state’s renewable portfolio standard to 50 percent and enshrine his ambitious offshore wind targets into law. It was a major step toward delivering on his campaign pledge to turn the Garden State into a clean energy juggernaut. Now comes the hard part: turning ambition into reality. New Jersey illustrates the opportunities and challenges facing states with ambitious clean energy and climate goals. Analysts said the measure signed . . . Complete story »
Murphy request could slow development of wind farms off NJ, NY
Gov. Phil Murphy is asking the federal government to extend the public comment period on proposed new lease sales for offshore wind in the New York Bight, a step that could delay the process for up to six months. In a letter to Ryan Zinke, Secretary of the Interior, the governor requested more time (180 days) because the areas in New York under consideration for wind-energy development include New Jersey’s main fishing grounds, including two that are closest to its . . . Complete story »
Offshore wind saddles residents with high costs
Firstly, I am an advocate of renewable and sustainable energy resources – the hope of the future. However, I have been following the evolution of wind farms off the coast, and from the beginning have wondered about cost, where the equipment was being fabricated and who would actually be running the enterprises. The promoter here locally is the Fishermen’s Energy Cooperative. The innocuous name of this group/company belies the fact they are a substantial operation, and once approved, the wind power . . . Complete story »
Wind energy projects should get same treatment, not special deals
Open bidding on government contracts and projects is long-established as the method fairest for companies and most cost-effective for New Jersey residents who must pay the bills. Special no-bid sweetheart deals sometimes serve interests of political party machines and the firms that support them. When Gov. Phil Murphy in February ordered the implementation of the Offshore Wind Economic Development Act of 2010, he started a process that requires the state Board of Public Utilities to solicit bids to build and . . . Complete story »
New Jersey rescues nukes, aids wind — and some enviros boo
New Jersey lawmakers passed a series of sweeping measures promoting emission-free power, including one that could have utility customers spending more than $300 million a year to rescue struggling nuclear power plants. The bills approved Thursday by the Democratic-controlled legislature revive a long-stalled plan to build a wind farm off the coast of Atlantic City and would require half the state’s energy to come from renewable energy by 2030. The nuclear measure would reward reactors run by Exelon Corp. and . . . Complete story »
Bill to restart Fishermen’s Energy offshore wind farm advances
A bill to restart the Fishermen’s Energy wind farm project for the ocean off Atlantic City passed an Assembly committee Thursday and now moves to the full Assembly. It would require the state Board of Public Utilities to open a 90-day period for the submission of an amended application for a wind energy project in state waters offshore of Atlantic City. While Fisherman’s Energy is not mentioned by name, it is the only such wind project that meets the criteria . . . Complete story »
What Gov. Murphy’s offshore wind decision means for Ocean County
According to the Argonne National Laboratory, a study showed that offshore turbines were visible at distances of 26 miles during the daytime and 24 miles at night, and may be a “major focus of visual attention” at distances of up to 10 miles. In the southern portion of the New Jersey lease area, turbines being visible from the beachfront is a distinct possibility. The turbines, according to BOEM, will be located seven nautical miles offshore – well within sight range, according to a study of similar facilities in the United Kingdom. Complete story »
Murphy restarts big offshore wind plan for New Jersey
ATLANTIC CITY – Governor Phil Murphy signed an executive order Wednesday to return the state to national leadership in offshore wind energy. New Jersey will finally implement the Offshore Wind Economic Development Act of 2010, which languished under Gov. Chris Christie, Murphy said at a press conference at the Atlantic County Utilities Authority’s wind farm and wastewater treatment plant. The law creates ratepayer-financing of wind field development through an Offshore Wind Renewable Energy Credit program. But Christie’s administration never finalized regulations . . . Complete story »
Murphy signs order to spur offshore wind production
A key concern for wind energy projects has been their affordability and whether they will need substantial subsidies. Sweeney said he wasn’t sure what the subsidy level under the 2010 legislation Christie signed would be because the state hadn’t conducted those estimates under the former governor. Complete story »
