New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has signed an executive order increasing New Jersey’s offshore wind goal from 3.5 GW by 2030 to 7.5 GW by 2035
The executive order, which more than doubles New Jersey’s offshore wind goal, will deliver clean energy needed to meet the state’s goals of using 50% renewable energy by 2030 and having a 100% clean energy economy by 2050. It will also help create thousands of jobs.
“There is no other renewable energy resource that provides us with the generation or economic growth potential of offshore wind,” said Governor Murphy.
“When we reach our goal of 7.5 GW, New Jersey’s offshore wind infrastructure will generate electricity to power more than 3.2 million homes and meet 50% of our state’s electric power need. Our offshore wind industry will generate billions of dollars in investments in New Jersey’s future that will, in turn, create thousands of jobs. We have an immense opportunity to maximise our potential and make this region – and New Jersey – the nexus of the offshore wind industry.”
“From rising sea-levels to climbing temperatures, we are beginning to experience the devastating impacts of climate change here in New Jersey,” said the state’s first lady Tammy Murphy. “By significantly expanding our offshore wind goals, we will make our state more resilient against the effects of climate change and protect our environment for future generations. Today’s Executive Order signals a critical step forward in developing our renewable energy infrastructure and reaching a 100% clean energy economy by 2050.”
In January 2018, as one of his first acts in office, Governor Murphy signed another executive order that directed the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to fully implement the Offshore Wind Economic Development Act (OWEDA) and begin the process of moving the state toward a goal of 3.5 GW of offshore wind energy generation by 2030.
Governor Murphy also established the Interagency Taskforce on Offshore Wind, which includes the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the Economic Development Authority, the Department of the Treasury, and the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, to work collaboratively to establish and support a vibrant offshore wind market in the state.
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities issued a solicitation for 1.1 GW of offshore wind energy generation and awarded Ørsted with the contract earlier this year. The board also developed a proposed timeline to consider two future solicitations for 1.2 GW to take place in 2020 and 2022, providing visibility for offshore wind developers, suppliers, and stakeholders. The board recently adopted the Offshore Wind Energy Certificate funding rule, which establishes the process by which an offshore wind programme is funded and how revenues earned from each project flow back to rate payers.
Governor Murphy directed the New Jersey Economic Development Authority to encourage offshore wind industry investment and the development of offshore wind port infrastructure. By establishing the Offshore Wind Tax Credit Programme and the Offshore Wind Supply Chain Registry, the state has attracted investment to offshore wind industry and wind-related projects. To support these investments, Governor Murphy signed a further order to establish a Council for the Wind Innovation and New Development Institute to develop a plan for the creation of a hub for the offshore wind industry. The Economic Development Authority also recently launched the Offshore Wind Technical Assistance Programme to support local companies and develop the skills needed to participate in the offshore wind industry.
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