NJ Governor Doubles Down on the Winds of Change
On November 19, 2019, Governor Phil Murphy, alongside former Vice President Al Gore, signed Executive Order No. 92 (Order) into effect, raising New Jersey’s offshore wind goals. The Order will raise the previous goal of 3,500 megawatt hours (Mwh) of offshore wind-generated electricity by 4,000 Mwh, for a total of 7,500 Mwh by 2035.
The Order more than doubles New Jersey’s offshore wind goal and is intended to deliver clean renewable energy, create thousands of jobs, as well as meet the State’s goals of 50% renewable energy by 2030 and a 100% clean energy economy by 2050.
When the goal is met, New Jersey’s offshore wind infrastructure will generate enough electricity to power more than 3.2 million homes as well as meet 50% of the State’s electricity power needs. In June 2019, the State selected Danish company Orsted to build a wind energy farm off the coast of Atlantic City. This project, producing 1,100 Mwh of electricity, is expected to be completed and up and running by 2024.
While the expansion of wind energy comes as a signal that New Jersey is leading the way in offshore wind energy, it will be interesting to see the continued interaction between state officials, property owners, and important stakeholders, such as the commercial and recreational fishing industry, as the 2035 timeframe approaches.
Anastasia P. Bellisari, a paralegal in our Environmental Department, contributed to this article.
As the law continues to evolve on these matters, please note that this article is current as of date and time of publication and may not reflect subsequent developments. The content and interpretation of the issues addressed herein is subject to change. Cole Schotz P.C. disclaims any and all liability with respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the contents of this publication to the fullest extent permitted by law. This is for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Do not act or refrain from acting upon the information contained in this publication without obtaining legal, financial and tax advice. For further information, please do not hesitate to reach out to your firm contact or to any of the attorneys listed in this publication.
Join Our Mailing List
Stay up to date with the latest insights, events, and more
