For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Jackie.Greger@sierraclub.org
NJ Wind Works Coalitions Host Global Wind Day Celebration
Hundreds Attend for Clean Energy Education, Family-Fun, and a Fossil-Free Future
NJDEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette delivers closing remarks at Global Wind Day
JERSEY CITY, NJ - Today, the NJ Chapter of the Sierra Club, NJ League of Conservation Voters, NJ Wind Works Coalition, labor unions, and various environmental and environmental justice partners hosted a Global Wind Day Celebration to show support for responsible offshore wind development and clean energy more broadly in New Jersey.
Global Wind Day is an international occasion to celebrate the importance of wind energy for our clean energy future and decarbonizing our economy. Offshore wind has the power to carry our New Jersey into the future, all while creating thousands of green, high-paying jobs, cleaning our air, and helping us achieve energy independence.
NJ Wind Works Coalition, Speakers, and Partners at Global Wind Day
Hundreds of community members attended on a beautiful day at Liberty State Park. There were over 35 tables with educational materials and children’s activities such as virtual reality offshore wind simulation headsets, mini LEGO turbine building, kite flying, offshore wind coloring pages, and more all with live music and food trucks in the background. Attendees were able to interact with offshore wind developers and partners like Rutgers University who were able to directly answer questions about the benefits of offshore wind.
The speaking program included inspirational remarks from Reverend Tuft with Green Faith, Mayor Steven Fulop, Congressman Menendez, Sam Pesin with Friends of Liberty State Park, NJ State Senator Raj Mukerji, Eric Miller, Executive Director of the New Jersey Governor’s Office of Climate Action and the Green Economy, Ben Dziobek with Climate Revolution Action Network, Henry Gajda, Deputy Chief of Staff NJBPU, Statement from Congressman Andy Kim (video remarks), Statement from Senator Smith (video remarks), Melissa Miles with NJ Environmental Justice Alliance, Former NJ Senate President Steve Sweeney, Maria Lopez Nuñez with Ironbound Community Corporation, and NJDEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette.
The event livestream is available here, and there is a regional Sierra Club livestream broadcasting Global Wind Day celebrations along the East Coast available here. All event photos can be accessed here, and we ask for these to be credited as NJ Sierra Club.
Statements:
“The advancement of offshore wind projects in New Jersey is vital to the state’s pursuit of a clean energy economy by 2035,” Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette said. “On this Global Wind Day, we are reminded of the Murphy Administration’s commitment to ensuring clean air and public health, while adding good-paying, green-sector jobs to our economy. Our mission to achieve those goals will mean a healthy New Jersey for all, for generations to come.”
“The NJBPU is proud to join offshore wind champions and supporters from throughout New Jersey as we celebrate the once-in-a-generation opportunity that offshore wind presents to our state,” said New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) President Christine Guhl-Sadovy. “In addition to advancing Governor Murphy’s bold clean energy and emissions reductions goals, offshore wind will produce billions of dollars in economic impact and tens of thousands of good-paying jobs in New Jersey.”
"Global wind Day offers us an opportunity to reaffirm our commitments to harnessing the power of wind for a cleaner, greener, future. And as someone who has pushed for Off-shore wind power for nearly two decades, I am confident that when we celebrate this day next year that we will be celebrating it as the first monopiles are being constructed off our shores,” said former Senate President Steve Sweeney.
“Today was an incredible celebration of Global Wind Day and all of the clean energy efforts in New Jersey, all with the Statue of Liberty, children flying kites and learning about the environment, live music, and community building in the background. We are creating the sustainable future we wish to see, one free of fossil-fuels with clean air and a safe climate for all,” said Anjuli Ramos-Busot, Director of the NJ Sierra Club. “We are proud to see New Jersey leading the way in our country’s just transition to clean energy and in kick starting our nation’s offshore wind industry. The legacy of the Jersey Shore is in jeopardy if we do not take action to address the climate crisis now. With offshore wind on our horizon, the future looks hopeful and bright. Thank you to everyone who came out today to celebrate this occasion with us.”
"The people who came out to today's event know that embracing offshore wind will save lives by allowing us to reduce our dependence on dirty fossil fuels," said Ed Potosnak, Executive Director, New Jersey LCV. "We need to redouble our commitment to reducing asthma, heart disease and cancer in communities like Jersey City by embracing a clean energy future that will create union jobs, reduce air pollution and improve public health, establish energy independence, and combat climate change.”
NJLCV Executive Director Ed Potosnack and NJ Sierra Club Director Anjuli Ramos-Busot
“New Jersey is leading the climate resilience revolution! We are showing that we are stronger and smarter than the climate crisis and that we will fuel our energy needs and economy with clean, renewable energy”, said Jennifer M. Coffey, ANJEC Executive Director. “Offshore wind energy is a sustainable source of energy that will result in cleaner air, combat climate change, create union jobs, and protect wildlife.”
“Offshore wind is one of our country’s most abundant and untapped natural resources, generating clean energy that can lower costs for coastal communities, create jobs, and reduce carbon pollution, helping to limit the impacts of climate change on wildlife,” said Helen Rose Patterson, senior campaign manager for offshore wind at the National Wildlife Federation. “Global Wind Day is an opportunity to celebrate our commitment to responsible offshore wind energy development, habitat conservation, and addressing the climate crisis in New Jersey and across the country.”
“The Global Wind Day event is an opportunity for New Jerseyans to learn about the offshore wind power that will provide a clean energy future and a defense against climate change,” said Via Pouget, Legislative Program Manager for the New Jersey Environmental Lobby. “Besides its environmental benefits, wind energy development will produce new economic power for our state’s labor and business sectors.”
“Liberty State Park is the right place to celebrate Global Wind Day because the Park, along with the rest of the Hudson County coastline, is increasingly at risk to coastal flooding. As we enter the kick off for summer, we are already seeing record ocean temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean and an increased risk from hurricanes. Climate change is real, and the best solution to create clean, renewable energy and reduce climate pollutants is through building offshore wind off the Jersey Shore. On Global Wind Day, there are more than 5,600 offshore wind turbines spinning in Europe, and turbine projects up and spinning in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York. It’s time to move forward on offshore wind in New Jersey,” said Doug O’Malley, Director of Environment New Jersey.
“Global Wind Day is a celebration of the transformative power of wind energy” said Cortney K. Worrall, President and CEO, Waterfront Alliance. “Offshore wind stands as a beacon of progress and hope, symbolizing a commitment to a sustainable and prosperous future. Waterfront Alliance is proud to stand with the NJ Chapter of the Sierra Club and the NJ Wind Works Coalition in championing responsible offshore wind development. Together, we are not just harnessing the wind; we are empowering communities, invigorating our economy with blue and green jobs, and leading the region towards a cleaner, independent energy future.”
“With a burgeoning Offshore Wind Energy Industry, we have a ripe opportunity to engage the residents of New Jersey in educational, fun, and inspiring activities that will help to bring Energy Justice, Environmental Justice, and Climate Justice to our state”, said Sharonda Allen, Founder and Executive Director of Operation Grow Inc. “Operation Grow Inc. is so excited about Global Wind Day with all of our amazingly impactful partners!”
“It is such an honor for Clean Water Action to participate in Global Wind Day amongst so many other amazing partners and organizations today. Transitioning to clean energy sources like offshore wind is so critical right now,given the fact that we are currently dealing with the devastating impacts of climate change. There has never been a better time than right now. Such a transition is cost-effective, more sustainable than the utilization of fossil fuels and most importantly improves the quality of life for nearby communities as well as the environment as a whole,” said Tolani Taylor, Zero Emissions & Warehouse Organizer for Clean Water Action.
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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.