For Immediate Release
August 19, 2010 Contact: Jeff Tittel 609-558-9100
Wind Closer to Reality Sierra Club Applauds Governor and Legislature on Signing of Offshore Wind Bill
Today is an important day for the future of New Jersey and its development of renewable energy. Governor Chris Christie has signed the Offshore Wind Economic Development Act, bill S2036/A2873, which provides market based credits for offshore wind as well as tax credits to build offshore wind manufacturing facilities.
This landmark legislation will ensure New Jersey is able to develop offshore wind facilities and meet its future energy needs through clean, reliable offshore wind. The Sierra Club thanks the governor and legislature for passing this landmark legislation.
"Wind is a win, win, win for New Jersey," NJ Sierra Club Director Jeff Tittel said. "It will protect the environment, create jobs and grow the economy. Offshore wind is the most reliable and cost effective form of renewable energy and this legislation will go a long way to meet New Jersey's future energy needs."
This bill will help ensure New Jersey is not only a leader in wind energy but a leader in wind manufacturing facilities and the jobs that come as a result. Wind is the most cost effective and reliable form of renewable energy. Not only is offshore wind clean power but also, in the long run, it is more economical and not subject to price volatility.
"This is a major step forward for the development of offshore wind," Tittel said. "With this bill signing, we will make offshore wind a reality."
This bill will also help create the port and manufacturing facilities onshore that will make offshore wind possible.
A recent report on offshore wind released by the DEP in June shows that offshore wind would have minimal environmental impacts. The Sierra Club believes the environmental benefits from wind energy far outweigh any potential environmental impacts on wildlife.
"This is a great day for New Jersey's energy future. We thank Governor Christie, Senate President Sweeney, and the Legislature for taking wind from an idea to a reality. This bill will ensure New Jersey will be able to deal with climate change and create green jobs," Tittel said.
Kara Seymour, Program Assistant NJ Sierra Club 145 W. Hanover Street Trenton, NJ 08618 609.656.7612 (f) 609.656.7618 <http://www.newjersey.sierraclub.org/> www.newjersey.sierraclub.org
Received on 2010-08-19 08:54:15