The Garden State once dreamed of becoming a global leader in offshore wind electricity generation. Now its plans look dead in the water.
James M. O'Neill reports that New Jersey's ambitious plans to develop offshore wind energy appear to have stalled while nearby Rhode Island is taking the lead in this renewable energy market.
"The state Board of Public Utilities has repeatedly rejected a proposal by Fishermen’s Energy to build a small wind farm off the coast of Atlantic City as a pilot project. And five years after the Legislature directed it to do so, the board has yet to complete an essential funding mechanism for offshore wind projects that would guarantee a buyer for the energy they produce."
The article goes on to speculate that New Jersey Governor Chris, once a strong proponent of a potential offshore wind industry for New Jersey, might have "soured on offshore wind because of his presidential ambitions — aware that key Republican financial donors, such as Charles and David Koch, favor the fossil fuel industry." A spokesperson for Gov. Christie recently defended his actions on affordable energy, however.
The article includes a lot more detail about the genesis of New Jersey's offshore wind ambitions as well as the political context that has slowed its momentum.
FULL STORY: N.J.’s push for offshore wind farms loses steam
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