Earlier this week, Governor Phil Murphy announced that the next solicitation for wind energy projects in New Jersey will be halted. Additionally, it was announced that the NJ Wind Port, an exciting project that promised to create thousands of direct and indirect, high-paying jobs in Salem County, is being reassessed for an alternative use.
The politics of wind energy have been highly controversial in New Jersey, especially in the southern portion of the State. The Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey (CCSNJ) has been an ardent supporter of bringing this new, innovative industry to southern New Jersey, as we would if any new business or industry chose to call the region home. Successfully establishing a new industry leads to economic investment, creative partnerships between business and education to guarantee a skilled and trained workforce, and thousands of industry and infrastructure jobs – the true backbone of any economy.
However, the CCSNJ had some reservations about the Administration’s approach to wind, arguing that it should be one tool in the tool chest as it relates to the State’s energy landscape, not the exclusive tool given the importance of energy diversity and how easily political tides can shift. Now, South Jersey – previously the potential leader in wind energy production for the Northeast – is left to consider what is next after several disheartening blows outside of the State’s control.
As a result, Governor Murphy has read the tea leaves presented to him and made a practical decision to look for alternate uses for the Port. While disappointing, this news presents an opportunity for South Jersey, one that the region should be enthusiastic about. The NJ Wind Port is situated on the eastern shore of the Delaware River in Lower Alloways Creek, Salem County. It offers an unrivaled combination of over 220 acres of developable space and open access to the Atlantic Ocean free of vertical restrictions making importing and exporting large products possible. The possibility of new companies, perhaps still in the wind industry, or other industries outside of wind pursuing the Port to take advantage of this space is limitless, especially with the Administration’s support.
Although the door is not completely shut on South Jersey’s wind energy aspirations, this decision is what is best for South Jersey given the current climate. Let’s not harp on what this decision means for the future of wind energy and instead focus on what is best for the region – finding a new tenant for the Port, a location brimming with potential that promises to create jobs in an area of the State in desperate need of economic activity and job growth.
Christina Renna is the president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey
