Governor Phil Murphy

ICYMI: Support for the New Jersey Wind Port

06/16/2020

LOCAL ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS

“Today’s announcement is a welcome piece of good news amid such uncertain times. The New Jersey Wind Port is a massive economic driver that shines a bright spotlight on the South Jersey region and will bring desperately needed jobs to Salem County and the surrounding community. Most importantly, it positions New Jersey as a true leader in wind innovation and, once completed, looks to generate approximately $500 million in new economic activity within the State and the region each year. An exciting simultaneous win-win for the state, the South Jersey community, business and labor.” - Christina M. Renna ǀ President & CEO, Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey

"We applaud Governor Murphy and his NJEDA team on the announcement of siting New Jersey’s Offshore Wind Farm Manufacturing in Salem County, cementing South Jersey’s future in offshore wind manufacturing and the supply chain and workforce development that supports it. 

The New Jersey Wind Port development goes beyond the jobs needed to construct it, beyond the jobs needed to operate it, it reaches into the next generation for job opportunities in a clean energy economy in South Jersey. The burgeoning clean energy industry sector is a fresh start to building an inclusive, highly skilled, higher-wage, locally trained workforce making South Jersey a region of choice. We thank Governor Murphy for his vision, his leadership and tenacity.” - Jane Asselta ǀ Vice President, Southern NJ Development Council

“The Salem County Chamber of Commerce is very pleased to welcome this project to Lower Alloways Creek. We support the huge economic impact the manufacturing facility and wind port will have on our community.” - Jennifer Jones ǀ Executive Director & CEO, Salem County Chamber of Commerce

“Salem Community College is excited to welcome the New Jersey Wind Port project. The economic impact for Salem County is dramatic, and we support a sustainable energy future. Salem Community College stands ready to facilitate any educational and training needs to make this endeavor a rousing success.” - Mike Gorman ǀ President, Salem Community College

“Today’s announcement makes good New Jersey’s promise that being a leader in offshore wind will create good jobs and enhance our economy for years to come. The New Jersey Wind Port is an exciting opportunity that will cement New Jersey’s position as a leader in offshore wind and a hub for the alternative energy industry. We credit Governor Murphy and NJEDA CEO Tim Sullivan for their leadership in bringing this vision to reality.” - Michele Siekerka ǀ President and CEO, NJBIA

“This is welcome news for Salem County and all of New Jersey. This initiative will bring jobs to the state and put New Jersey in a leadership role in transitioning to more environmentally friendly energy programs.” - Tom Bracken ǀ President and CEO, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce

“We fully support the development of the New Jersey Wind Port which will be the first of its kind in the nation and will result in 1,500 new jobs while innovating in the field of wind energy. By creating the NJWP, New Jersey establishes itself as a leader in an emerging technology with a project that will create up to $500 million of new economic activity annually.” - Anthony Russo ǀ President, Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey (CIANJ)

“Through the recent Energy Master Plan, the State Chamber has been an active supporter of wind energy and we have championed the pursuit of having a wind farm off our coast. The New Jersey Chamber is a long serving member of the NJ Clean Air Council and we recognize the environmental benefits of offshore wind energy in improving air quality and creating a clean energy future for our residents and businesses.” - Michael Egenton ǀ Executive VP, Government Relations, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce

“The construction of this major manufacturing facility is a major win for New Jersey and particularly for Salem County. It’s projected to create hundreds of union construction jobs as well as some 1,500 permanent jobs. It establishes New Jersey as the premier center for offshore wind manufacturing.” - Philip K. Beachem ǀ President, New Jersey Alliance for Action

“Choose New Jersey is excited about the development of the New Jersey Wind Port at Lower Alloways Creek, which will make South Jersey a leader in offshore wind manufacturing and advance New Jersey’s clean energy economy. This announcement will create thousands of highly skilled, good paying jobs in the region, and I look forward to working with Governor Murphy and his administration to continue working toward a clean energy future.” - Jose Lozano ǀ President & CEO, Choose New Jersey

“Off-shore wind is a crucial component of a strategy to decarbonize our economy, as well as an important element of a larger overall infrastructure investment, economic recovery, and job creation program. The Governor’s announcement today positions New Jersey as a leader in the offshore wind industry and lays the groundwork for further supportive investments along the mid-Atlantic and within the Tri-State region. RPA strongly supports the progress being made in New Jersey with news of the first, purpose-built Wind Port in the US.” - Nat Bottigheimer ǀ NJ Director, Regional Plan Association

"On behalf of the Building Trades I want to thank Governor Murphy and his administration for making this project a reality. This project announcement could not have come at a better time considering the uncertainly of the future of construction due to the Covid-19 and recent economic downturn in the economy.

These jobs that will be created for the Building Trades and for the Wind Industry after the facility is built will allow South Jersey to continue to thrive while also helping with meeting the Governor’s goals of the energy master plan. Once again on behalf of the South Jersey Building Trades and IBEW Local 351 thank you to everyone who made this possible!" - Dan Cosner | President, Southern NJ Building Trades Council and Business Manager, IBEW Local 351

ENVIRONMENTAL SUPPORTERS

“The Murphy Administration is taking a huge step forward to meet the aggressive goals of Gov. Murphy’s executive order to generate 7,500 MW of offshore wind by 2035. A South Jersey unobstructed off-shore wind port is the key step in building an off-shore wind supply chain to generate half of New Jersey’s energy from clean, renewable energy by 2030. Off-shore wind is a huge untapped resource off the Jersey Shore that can power our economy with renewable energy, move us off fossil fuels and fight climate change pollution. The answer for New Jersey’s clean energy future has been blowing in the wind and this announcement cements the Murphy Administration’s commitment to making New Jersey the leader in off-shore wind.” - Doug O'Malley ǀ Director, Environment New Jersey

“Building offshore wind from manufacturing to installation in New Jersey will be a boon for the economy, climate and public health. Coupled with reducing fossil fuel use, it will reduce pollution that is burning up the planet, making COVID-19 more deadly, and causing a wide range of other respiratory and cardiac diseases. The New Jersey Wind Port will create thousands of much needed good paying union jobs, as well as move us closer towards achieving not only the 45% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030 scientists are calling for but also the Governor's goal of a 100% clean energy by 2050.”  - Amy Goldsmith ǀ NJ State Director, Clean Water Action

“This is a bold initiative that will make New Jersey a regional leader in the offshore wind manufacturing supply chain. By designing a port specifically for offshore wind, it will be tailored to meet industry needs and accelerate the creation of jobs. I'm glad to see New Jersey capitalizing on our location in the region and in turn on the number of jobs this new industry can bring. We are pleased to learn of the Governor's commitment to inclusion and union jobs." - Debra Coyle McFadden ǀ Executive Director, Work Environment Council of New Jersey

"The New Jersey Offshore Wind Port is the perfect investment to help stimulate New Jersey’s economic recovery – by creating roughly 1,500 long-term jobs in the Lower Alloway Creek area – while putting a down-payment on a renewably powered future for our state and mitigating climate change, which particularly threatens coastal, low-lying areas in South Jersey such as Salem County. NJEDA plans to prioritize job creation for women and people of color, as well as for residents of the area, a smart means to ensure that New Jerseyans most impacted by the pandemic and economic recession reap the benefits of new clean energy projects." - Berenice Tompkins ǀ Jersey Renews Campaign Organizer, New Jersey Work Environment Council

“Today is a GREAT DAY for New Jersey! The announcement of this port in South Jersey is the biggest step forward in making offshore wind a reality for the state. This facility will create thousands of good union construction and operation jobs, showing alternatives from building fossil fuel pipelines and power plants. The site to build the port is one of the best in the state, it will have minimal environmental impacts and provide the proper infrastructure to bring in 500ft wind towers to sea. Offshore wind is the most cost effective and reliable way to bring renewable energy. New Jersey is one of the best places to develop offshore wind in the county and we are moving to be a national leader in wind.” - Jeff Tittel ǀ Director, New Jersey Sierra Club

“Governor Murphy’s commitment of up to $300 million in an offshore wind port development has paved the way for the Garden State’s post-COVID economic recovery by creating high-quality jobs in an equitable and environmentally-responsible manner. This announcement is critical for New Jersey residents to receive all the benefits of a clean energy future including reduced pollution, reversing the climate crisis, economic recovery, and protecting wildlife both in the Delaware Bay and our national treasured ocean resources.” - Curtis Fisher ǀ Northeast Regional Executive Director at the National Wildlife Federation

“New Jersey Audubon is excited to see Governor Murphy’s continued leadership on offshore wind and the commitment to build any offshore wind port facilities in an environmentally responsible manner. New Jersey Audubon, and other partners that we have worked with for decades to restore and protect the Delaware River and the Delaware Bay, look forward to partnering with the Murphy Administration to make sure these precious resources are protected for generations to come. Governor Murphy has pledged to responsibly develop offshore wind for our state, and we look forward to continuing to partner with his Administration to advance this exciting new energy source while protecting our existing natural resources.” - Eric Stiles ǀ President and CEO, New Jersey Audubon   

INDUSTRY SUPPORTERS

“As the US offshore wind sector further matures, New Jersey continues to demonstrate its commitment to being a key player in building this new American industry. Today’s announcement by Governor Murphy enhances the foundation for creating thousands of ‘green collar’ jobs in the state and advances the development of infrastructure that the industry needs to be successful. We want to thank the State for their continued leadership on this issue, and both Governor Murphy and Senate President Sweeney for being strong advocates for offshore wind in New Jersey.” - Thomas Brostrøm ǀ CEO of Ørsted North America Offshore

“At GE Renewable Energy we are delighted to see offshore wind moving forward in New Jersey with today’s announcement. We’re proud to be supplying our Haliade-X wind turbine, the most powerful turbine in operations today, to Ørsted’s Ocean Wind project and optimistic about the potential of offshore wind to provide significant environmental and economic development benefits to New Jersey and the entire east coast of the US." - John Lavelle ǀ President & CEO, Offshore Wind, GE Renewable Energy 

“This forward-thinking effort underlines New Jersey’s leadership in harnessing the economic and environmental potential of offshore wind. Today’s focus on port infrastructure development shows the Garden State is positioning itself as a first-mover in the race to capture the jobs and investments associated with offshore wind manufacturing, assembly, and staging. The offshore wind industry is poised to deliver affordable, reliable power to New Jersey communities, bringing thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in investments and helping the state reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the same time.” - Laura Morton ǀ Senior Director, American Wind Energy Association

“Governor Murphy continues to show great leadership in helping transition New Jersey to a clean energy state. Infrastructure investments like the new port at Lower Alloways Creek are essential so that offshore wind developers like Atlantic Shores can bring our projects online efficiently and cost effectively. The New Jersey Wind Port will be designed to support offshore development growth and we applaud Governor Murphy for soliciting industry feedback during the development process. Atlantic Shores looks forward to being a major part of the economic boom and job creation that offshore wind development can produce in New Jersey. Investments like this from the state serve as a catalyst for our team to deepen our investment in New Jersey.” -Doug Copeland ǀ Development Manager, Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind

“We are thrilled to see New Jersey's continued commitment to offshore wind, which has the potential to bring both clean, affordable energy and good jobs to the state. Governor Murphy has a clear vision about the power of offshore wind to grow New Jersey's economy, and this announcement is a significant step to making that vision a reality. We at MHI Vestas Offshore Wind look forward to continuing to work with New Jersey in the days ahead.” - Amanda Schoen ǀ US Public Affairs Specialist, MHI Vestas Offshore Wind

“Port infrastructure serves as the critical backbone for a strong offshore wind industry and today New Jersey took a major step forward in delivering on this economic engine that will support local jobs, investment and our clean energy future. Offshore wind stands ready to be part of the economic recovery in New Jersey and across the East Coast as we unlock opportunities for multiple communities and a diverse supply chain.” - Bill White ǀ President & CEO, EnBW North America