Green Light for New Jersey Offshore Wind Energy Project a Major Win for Climate

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s Record of Decision for the Ocean Wind I project off the coast of New Jersey — which follows almost four years of federal review and public comment — is a significant milestone for US offshore wind power. This progress is an important symbol of the Biden Administration’s commitment to combating climate change, which is an existential threat to our communities, the environment, and wildlife.

Ocean Wind I is the third fully permitted offshore wind project in United States federal waters. The 98 turbines will provide 1,100 Megawatts of power, bringing commercial-scale offshore wind production to a new scale in the U.S.

“We are thrilled to see this massive milestone for Ocean Wind 1, the first offshore wind project to come to New Jersey’s shorelines.  By extension, this decision is also a milestone for the state’s just transition away from fossil fuels, taking significant action on climate change for the sake of future generations and the environment,” said Anjuli Ramos, Director for the New Jersey Sierra Club.

“The BOEM Record of Decision relating to Ocean Wind 1 represents a critical step toward harnessing clean, renewable offshore wind to power New Jersey’s homes and businesses. Responsibly developed offshore wind will help us mitigate the worst impacts of the climate crisis, all while creating family-sustaining union jobs, giving us better domestic control of our energy production, and improving the overall health of our ecosystems,” said Allison McLeod, Senior Policy Director, New Jersey LCV. “Every responsible offshore wind project moves us toward our clean energy future, which in addition to the climate and economic benefits, will also improve our air quality - which for too long has disproportionately impacted low-income communities and communities of color.”

“The decision by BOEM to issue a Record of Decision represents a key milestone for Ocean Wind 1 and New Jersey whose leaders have been deliberate and steadfast in their mission to reach 11,000 megawatts of offshore wind power by 2040,” said Doug O’Malley, Director, Environment New Jersey. “The time to take action to protect our environment is now - climate change is the greatest existing threat to our state and the development of offshore wind off the Jersey Shore is our best hope to power our state with clean renewable energy to fight climate change."

“The wildfire smoke coming down from Quebec is a vivid reminder that climate change is a staggering threat to human health in the 21st century - a stark warning that has been sounded by the medical community for many years now,” said Dan Quinlan, Senior Advisor to Health Care Without Harm. “For those who understand that sobering reality, Ocean Wind 1 is a powerful and wonderful symbol of how industry and government can come together to change the narrative and create a hopeful path forward out of this looming crisis.”  

“One turbine at a time, the day these turbines are installed will be the birthday of an individual artificial reef, built in currently barren areas. In a matter of months, mussels and other invertebrates will colonize the new structure and in turn, forage fish, game fish, and predators of all kinds will flock to this newly formed reef system,” said Capt. Paul Eidman, Anglers for Offshore Wind.  “Pollution-free energy from offshore wind offers us a solution that can help to slow down some of the most serious issues facing all fishermen. Offshore wind power could enhance and bring new life to our coastal ecosystems and economy if we just give it a chance.”

“The worsening impacts of the climate crisis for our communities and ecosystems are a clarion call that a transition to clean energy is more urgent than ever,” said Amber Hewett, program director for offshore wind energy at the National Wildlife Federation. “The Ocean Wind project marks a new milestone in our ability to harness wind for cleaner, sustainable energy that supports local economies. We look forward to working with the Administration and industry leaders to ensure that offshore wind energy projects responsibly work with communities and wildlife experts while strengthening our nation's renewable energy capacity."

“Today’s decision by BOEM means this project is one big step closer to creating hundreds of new jobs and keeping New Jersey on track to meeting its clean energy goals,” said Karlito Almeda, New Jersey state lead for Advanced Energy United. “Offshore wind projects in New Jersey have already spurred hundreds of millions of dollars in investments in supporting infrastructure such as the New Jersey Wind Port, and the Ocean Wind 1 project means the state will have a more dynamic economy powered by more reliable, renewable energy.”

“Offshore wind will give our communities the opportunity to continue thriving.  We have seen flooding happen from the shore to central NJ and northern NJ. Flooding is no longer isolated to waterfront homes, which proves it will benefit our entire state. We need to continue to work with offshore developers to get their help in mitigating our communities by pushing for more grant funding similar to the Pro-trust grants,” said Jody Stewart, Senior Organizer for the New Jersey Resource Project. “These grants have helped many communities move forward with projects that the taxpayers would have had to pay for. As a flood survivor, I know we need to move into more renewable energy, to slow the rising seas so my community can keep its heads above water.”

“Offshore wind is a critical component of New Jersey’s clean energy strategy as well as the larger transition to a more just and sustainable economy,” said Richard Lawton, Executive Director of the NJ Sustainable Business Council. “This milestone sends a clear market signal that will further accelerate the investment of private capital into technological innovation and clean energy supply chain development.  Ocean Wind 1 represents an investment in America that will yield significant returns in the form of domestic job growth and enhanced national security.  It also offers an encouraging sign that public and private sectors can still work together and get big things done for the common good.”

“Today’s decision takes us one step closer to realizing our state’s goal of creating a robust green economy that will create thousands of good-paying, union jobs and fight climate change,” said Deb Coyle, Executive Director of NJ Work Environment Council. “The announcement of the record of decision on Ocean Wind I is good for our state’s workers, environment, communities, and economies.”

“Almost all threats also create opportunity, and this couldn’t be more true of climate change,” said Drew Tompkins, Director of the Jersey Renews Coalition. “Today’s announcement from BOEM is another step towards New Jersey seizing that opportunity to create thousands of good-paying, union jobs, uplift our communities, and lower our greenhouse gas emissions by constructing the Ocean Wind I project.”

“Offshore wind has the potential to be the biggest lever that we can pull to reduce our emissions, address the climate crisis, meet our energy needs, and grow our economy simultaneously. It’s poised to become a $1 trillion industry by 2040, creating thousands of good-paying jobs, providing clean renewable energy, and spurring economic growth. Elected Officials to Protect America fully supports the responsible buildout of offshore wind and sees it as a key component to solving the climate crisis,” said Dominic Frongillo, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Elected Officials to Protect America (EOPA). “This milestone represents the beginning of America’s clean energy future - independent from fossil fuels.”