/For Immediate Release/
February 2, 2012 Contact Jeff Tittel, 609-558-9100
*Federal Government Moves to Make Offshore Wind a Reality*// Offshore wind is a step closer to reality in New Jersey.Today the /Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement/(BOEMRE) announced their environmental reviews found no significant impact (FONSI) from the development of offshore wind between Cape May and Harvey Cedars.Companies will now be able to build in these areas without having to compete federal environmental reviews.This announcement will make it easier and shorten the process for companies to secure permits, moving offshore wind forward.We believe off shore wind is the most reliable and cost effective form of off shore power.This is an important step in developing wind off our coast.
"This is an important step forward to making wind off our coasts a reality.New Jersey can meet its clean energy needs with offshore wind and this shows it will have a positive benefit to our environment and economy," *said Jeff Tittel, Director of NJ Sierra Club*. We have enough wind off our coast to meet at least half of New Jersey's electricity needs.Wind is the most cost effective and energy efficient form of renewable energy and this announcement today means more green power and job creation.Offshore wind can be done quickly and without significant impacts to our environment. The BL England Coal plant should be closed and instead used to bring off shore wind energy onto the coast.This decision means we can really start to move away from dirty coal and towards our clean energy future.
"We only have 2 choices for our future: more coal and offshore oil or offshore wind. Wind is the right choice for more job growth, a healthy environment, and less dependence on polluting fossil fuels," *said Jeff Tittel*."Up to now it was easier to install oil rigs than windmills off our coast and now BOEMRE is making it easier to do off shore wind.This will move wind forward faster in areas that are not environmentally sensitive, creating jobs and keeping energy investments within New Jersey's economy."
-- Kate Millsaps Program Assistant NJ Chapter of the Sierra Club 609-656-7612