For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Jackie Greger, Jackie.Greger@sierraclub.org
BREAKING: Shell Kills Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project, Enabled by Trump Administration
Offshore Wind Development Delayed Four Years for NJ
Trenton, NJ - Today, the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) announced that they will not proceed with an award in New Jersey’s fourth offshore wind solicitation. There were three bidders in this solicitation, including a rebid and final offer from Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind LLC to continue with their development with prices adjusted to account for inflation and supply chain issues.
Without their fourth solicitation award, Atlantic Shores is unable to continue the development of their projects. The BPU explained in a statement that this decision was informed by Shell’s backing out as an equity partner from the American clean energy market just last week and uncertainty at the Federal level.
In response, NJ Sierra Club Director Anjuli Ramos-Busot issued the following statement;
“The NJ Sierra Club is deeply disappointed to see the Atlantic Shores project not moving forward. Once again, fossil fuel companies have taken favor from the Trump Administration to continue with the drill baby drill status quo. Are we surprised?
It is clear that today’s decision at the state-level was a direct result of the corporate greed of Shell backing out as an equity partner, the fossil fuel industry at large, and a Federal administration that prioritizes profit margins and lining their pockets rather than the health of the American people and our environment. By not awarding Atlantic Shores the necessary OREC in the BPU’s fourth offshore wind solicitation, we have handed over four more years of unchecked and unchallenged profit to the fossil fuel industry.
Trump is killing manufacturing jobs in a nascent industry for New Jersey and for the entire East Coast. This is a missed opportunity for our state to propel a new clean industry and to generate power for millions of New Jersey homes. These projects needed to be built yesterday. It is 2025 and we are still fighting to give renewables a fair chance, breathe clean air, and for our lives.
New Jersey needs to take action and step up against fossil fuel interests, fossil fuel company gains, and President Trump. Without stepping up, our communities will just continue to get sick, our forests will continue to burn, and our utility bills will continue to rise. Our state is stronger than this, and we are deeply disappointed that this project will not move forward.”
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About the Sierra Club: The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information about our work in New Jersey, visit www.sierraclub.org/new-jersey.