Atlantic Shores is still awaiting word from the N.J. Board of Public Utilities on the re-bid of its offshore wind projects. The company took another step toward the finish line this week when it received approval from the New Jersey State House Commission
On Monday, the New Jersey State House Commission gave approvals for the Atlantic Shores offshore wind project (which would create 1,510 megawatts of clean, renewable energy to power more than 700,000 homes) to use lands that are otherwise preserved by the Green Acres fund. Essentially, this is land approval for the project.
Atlantic Shores, through a statement, said it was pleased by the announcement.
“We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to State House Commission, the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection, the City of Atlantic City, and all stakeholders supportive of Atlantic Shores’ mission of responsibly delivering clean, renewable power to the Garden State,” the statement read.
“The abundant environmental and economic benefits of offshore wind are becoming real, and Atlantic Shores remains committed to establishing a thriving domestic offshore wind industry anchored in New Jersey.”
Members of the New Jersey Wind Works coalition also hailed the announcement.
“We applaud Gov. Phil Murphy and his administration for charging full steam ahead on building a clean energy future for New Jersey,” Ed Potosnak, executive director, New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, said. “The approvals the State House Commission gave today are an important step in bringing New Jersey’s first offshore wind development online — allowing Atlantic City residents to breathe cleaner air while creating family-sustaining union jobs.
“We look forward to working with Gov. Murphy to continue building a fossil-free energy future for generations to come.”
Wyatt Earp, Third District International representative for IBEW, echoed those thoughts.
“I would like to thank the State House Commission for doing the right thing and approving the use of Green Acres to support Green energy,” he said. “It puts New Jersey one step closer to Gov. Murphy’s carbon free energy plan that will protect our environment for us and our children and grandchildren. This includes supporting our shore communities and working to combat storm surges and flooding.”
Anjuli Ramos-Busot, director of the Sierra Club New Jersey Chapter, said her group also supported the decision.
“The New Jersey Sierra Club is pleased to see the City of Atlantic City’s request for a Green Acres diversion approved by the State House Commission today,” she said. “This diversion will allow utility companies in New Jersey to install the critical infrastructure to connect the clean, renewable energy coming in from the Atlantic Shores Project to our power grid and thus to our communities and homes.
“This decision shows how the clean energy transition is happening in real time for New Jersey without sacrificing our environmental protections, as in return for this diversion the city will receive twelve times the acreage that Green Acres requires from Atlantic Shores for further public recreation and conservation. This decision will directly benefit both the environment and community in Atlantic City.”
