Baltimore, MD−New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy fulfilled a key clean energy campaign promise today by issuing an executive order that directs the state to move forward aggressively toward the goal of generating 3500 MW (megawatts) of offshore wind energy by 2030. The order further directs the NJ Board of Public Utilities to update the Offshore (wind) Renewable Energy Certificate (OREC) program to help fund offshore wind energy projects.
“Governor Murphy today solidified New Jersey’s place as a leader in clean energy, and helped the state regain its frontrunner position in the nationwide competition to grow the offshore wind industry and secure its 96,000 jobs,” said Liz Burdock, Executive Director, Business Network for Offshore Wind. “With the OREC financing already signed in to law, today’s announcement is a clear message to the supply chain that the state is committed to offshore wind and will provide stable and consistent policy required to establish offshore wind operations and attract investments. This is a win for New Jersey, this important industry, and anyone who cares about our environment.”
Murphy’s order brings the United States offshore wind pipeline to more than 5 GW (gigawatts) of clean energy, which will help the supply chain, said Burdock. She also pointed out that the purchase of offshore wind power by utilities is essential, and that ORECs are the same financing mechanism that was used by Maryland to procure 368MW of offshore wind in May 2017.
Doug O’Malley, Director for Environment New Jersey, added, “Offshore wind has been a long time coming in New Jersey, and there is an untapped jackpot of clean energy and great jobs off of the Jersey shore. The Governor’s executive order makes New Jersey a national leader in offshore wind in one fell swoop. We won’t see turbines built overnight, but this is the start of the offshore wind economy that will lead the state’s campaign against climate change.”
# # #
About the Business Network for Offshore Wind
The Business Network for Offshore Wind is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing an offshore wind supply chain in the United States. The Network is focused on delivering education, creating partnerships and advancing the industry. All membership and event proceeds are invested back into supporting the industry by helping the Network continue programmatic education, and develop the tools and networks necessary to create a U.S. offshore wind supply chain. The Network hosts the annual International Offshore Wind Partnering Forum (IPF), the leading technical conference for offshore wind in the United States dedicated to moving the industry forward.