The governor held an event in Paulsboro and signed the offshore wind legislation along with two other economic development bills. (Photo: Politico News)
OFFSHORE WIND INDUSTRY GAINING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM MURPHY’S NEW LEGISLATION
The offshore wind industry will receive millions of dollars in tax credits and private investment thanks to new legislation that Governor Phil Murphy signed on Thursday afternoon.
In a Paulsboro-based factory that makes the monopiles that support the turbines, Governor Murphy signed the measure in order to support the offshore wind industry.
The measure will enable Ocean Wind 1, New Jersey’s first offshore wind project, from the offshore wind industry, to earn federal tax credits after recently receiving clearance from the Biden administration.
Additionally, it will spur private investments totaling $200 million in industrial plants and aid the offshore wind industry in New Jersey.
In order to battle climate change and create jobs, Gov. Murphy stated, “We’re signing a bill today that helps build our clean energy economy and promote the offshore wind industry.” Therefore, our kids can truly relish their future.
Keith Moore is a member of the organization Defend Brigantine Beach, which has been suing wind farms in an effort to halt their construction.
The group worries that the turbines will obstruct ocean vistas, which will discourage families from visiting the shore and result in the loss of tourism-related jobs.
They are particularly concerned about the increase of marine mammals that have been discovered stranded along the offshore wind industry, which they attribute to turbine pre-construction activities.
“We need a growing number of people here who recognize that the impact will turn out to be off our coast,” said Moore, “where we believe it’s basically going to destroy the Jersey Shore economies, wildlife, and fishing due to offshore wind industry.”
America’s Largest Offshore Wind Farm is Set to Rise in Jersey (Photo: New Jersey Monthly Magazine)
According to information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, this year has seen more strandings of humpback whales in New Jersey than at any other point in the previous seven years with seven so far.
The agency claimed there is no proof that offshore wind industry is causing the strandings, though.
According to Governor Murphy, “We have been great collaborators with individuals who have problems from the start. We are highly receptive to the sightline challenges as well as the whale concern along with supporting the offshore wind industry.”
The governor’s opinion was disputed by opponents, who vowed to keep up their efforts to halt the construction of the turbines and delay the growing of offshore wind industry.
