For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Jackie.Greger@sierraclub.org
NJ Groups Stand in Support of Responsibly Developed Offshore Wind
Amid nationwide concern about increasing energy demands and rising electricity costs, New Jersey groups stand in support of responsibly developed offshore wind as a solution to America’s energy crisis, applauding Gov. Phil Murphy’s continued commitment to advancing environmental and clean energy priorities that the Administration has championed for nearly a decade.
New Jersey has long supported offshore wind development – a commitment part of a much larger movement to improve New Jersey’s public health and secure our energy future. And, with New Jersey’s population and energy demands rising, offshore wind provides a promising solution to meet the energy needs of our state.
“Atlantic Shores continues to be New Jersey’s trailblazing offshore wind project with reaffirmed commitments from both of their developers, Shell and EDF. We remain strongly committed to supporting and advocating for the responsible development of this renewable source of energy that will bring New Jersey a lot closer to its energy, emission reduction and climate goals,” said Anjuli Ramos-Busot, New Jersey Director for the Sierra Club. “We are seeing continued utility bill increases across the state, and we see this clearly in South Jersey. We should never celebrate the cancellation of millions of dollars of investments to an industry that will bring thousands of jobs to the state, particularly in South Jersey. We should continue to find clean energy solutions like offshore wind to alleviate our grid capacity issues. The cancellation of offshore wind in NJ would only mean higher utility bills for all New Jerseyans, and worsening air pollution and public health. Offshore wind remains New Jersey’s greatest energy resource and investment for the betterment of our communities, and we remain hopeful in our state’s capacity to make it happen.”
Just last year, across the state, the price of electricity skyrocketed – anywhere from three to 10 percent – depending on utility. By the end of 2025, New Jersey ratepayers will likely see electricity bill increases of as much as 29 percent.
"Climate change poses an existential threat to wildlife and habitats, and prioritizing clean energy solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is critical to the long-term viability of the most vulnerable species," said Amber Hewett, Senior Director of Offshore Wind Energy, National Wildlife Federation. “Our waters and atmosphere have warmed, worsening natural disasters and changing migration habits and patterns of marine life. New Jersey faces too valuable an opportunity to lose in the responsible development of offshore wind energy, which remains one of the safest and most reliable solutions to reduce carbon emissions, stabilize electric rates, and protect wildlife."
Beyond providing clean, renewable energy, it holds the potential to fuel a robust economic transformation, create competition for ratepayers, and employ thousands. Which is why it is also promising to see that Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind doubled down on proceeding with the project that will help us realize our state’s energy goals.
“We commend Atlantic Shores for reaffirming its commitment to delivering family-sustaining jobs and clean, renewable energy for New Jersey residents through offshore wind,” said Ed Potosnak, Executive Director, New Jersey League of Conservation Voters. “Responsibly developed wind power is critical to addressing our state’s energy needs and lowering costs for working families and local businesses while ensuring our residents can breathe cleaner air. Now more than ever, we need to make New Jersey a leader in clean energy — and that means getting offshore wind developments up and running so they can deliver clean, affordable power to consumers while.”
Beyond direct employment, offshore wind’s expanding supply chain is revitalizing legacy industries, spurring advancements in shipbuilding, manufacturing, engineering, construction, assembly and more as development progresses.
"There is no moral universe in which stopping responsibly developed offshore wind is the right thing to do. People of faith will always support clean air, green jobs, and renewable energy. These are cornerstones for a better tomorrow," said Rev. Ronald Tuff, GreenFaith NJ Organizer.
With rising concerns each winter about the capacity of our grid to meet demand – particularly during extreme weather – offshore wind can provide consistent, predictable power that can be counted on when electricity demand spikes.
As economics tells us, when demand rises but the supply doesn’t – costs go up. And as the demand for power in New Jersey continues to rise, we further put strains on our grid and the resources available to power the homes, lights and businesses of New Jersey residents – resulting in less reliable systems and higher costs. Offshore wind can and will serve a critical role in securing our energy grid.
“Even during the first Trump term, the transition off of fossil fuels saw the world entering into a new clean energy phase. Since 2016 investments in clean energy have grown fivefold, to $2.1 trillion in 2024. Under Biden, the US passed laws that injected hundreds of billions of dollars into the transition,” said Dominic Frongillo, Elected Officials to Protect America, Executive Director and Co-Founder. "New Jersey is key to that transition for the east coast with Governor Murphy's bold offshore wind goals. Manufacturing has begun for the New Jersey offshore wind turbines and newly skilled local workers have good paying jobs. Last October, the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management approved the OSW plan including up to 197 total locations for wind turbines, offshore substations, and a meteorological tower, with subsea transmission cables potentially making landfall in Atlantic City. Elected Officials to Protect America (EOPA) will continue to fight for responsible offshore wind development for the health and security of all. Over 175 New Jersey elected officials have signed a letter declaring so. The economic engine moving us to a clean energy future with offshore wind won’t be stopped."
"A health professional’s decision about the well-being of patients is driven by assessing symptoms and then carefully designing a treatment plan based on science. We hear from our medical colleagues in Los Angeles, North Carolina, and across the United States about how climate driven catastrophes are slamming their patients and families. As a country, a treatment plan that does not include a full-on buildout of offshore wind along the coast of NJ and the northeast is irresponsible,” said Felicia Taylor, Chief Executive Officer, New Jersey Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics.
“Offshore wind is the solution for New Jersey’s energy needs,” said Deb Coyle, Executive Director, New Jersey Work Environment Council. “Beyond providing clean, renewable energy, it holds the potential to fuel a robust economic transformation, create competition for ratepayers, and employ thousands.”
“As New Jersey storm survivors, we’ve experienced extreme weather and flooding firsthand, so we want to make sure offshore wind benefits our communities directly and helps us preserve our home for years to come. We’re excited to make our voices heard in the process of bringing construction hubs, turbine installation, and transmission lines to our state, because as we like to say, nothing about us without us,” said Jody Stewart, Director of Organizing, New Jersey Resource Project.