Larisa Manescu, larisa.manescu@sierraclub.org
Jackie Greger, jackie.greger@sierraclub.org
New Jersey – Today, the Department of the Interior announced its approval of the Atlantic Shores South offshore wind energy project off the coast of New Jersey – the nation’s ninth approved commercial-scale, offshore wind energy project.
The Atlantic Shores South wind project is expected to generate up to 2,800 megawatts of electricity, enough to power close to one million homes with clean renewable energy. Since taking office, the Biden administration has approved more than 13 gigawatts of offshore wind energy, which will power nearly 5 million homes once built. This project, which consists of two wind energy facilities — Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 1 and 2 — will help New Jersey achieve its goal of 11 gigawatts of offshore wind power and deliver carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions reductions of approximately 2,625 tons per year.
The New Jersey Chapter of the Sierra Club just hosted a Global Wind Day celebration on June 15 to celebrate and show support for responsible offshore wind development and clean energy in New Jersey.
In response to the approval of the Atlantic Shores South project, Sierra Club New Jersey Director Anjuli Ramos-Busot released the following statement:
“The Biden administration’s approval of the Atlantic Shores South project is good for our climate, our public health, our workers, and our wallets. We are proud to see New Jersey move towards renewable energy and offshore wind development, and away from dirty fossil fuels. The momentum for offshore wind in New Jersey is only growing as we continue to lead the region in our transition to a cleaner, greener future for our communities.”
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, visit www.sierraclub.org.