New Jersey is about to double the amount of offshore wind (OSW) energy, allowing construction on nearly 374,000 more acres of ocean to install industrial power plants for fossil fuel giants and/or foreign corporations. Four more applications to build massive OSW projects are now pending in response to the NJ Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) “Third Solicitation.”                            

In the name of good governance, fiscal responsibility, and environmental stewardship – this process must be stopped, and the Third Solicitation applications cancelled.

Risky Business: The news and financial reports highlight fiscal and economic turmoil within the wind industry. Evidence of troubles include financial woes, inflation, and supply chain constraints, rising diverted taxpayer funds for bailouts, lack of transmission grid capacity, and technology failures. It is much too risky to lock in multi-generational deals at multi-billion-dollar costs. 

Already too much, too fast: Today, there are many projects in the NY/NJ region looming off the coast that will have devastating ecosystem impacts – industrializing over 1.4 million acres which will destroy habitats, and harm and kill marine life. Whales and dolphins are dying now, and the cause is yet to be proven. It is a reckless, unprecedented assault and a massive experiment on the ocean, the marine ecosystem, thousands of livelihoods, and the quiet seaside culture that millions enjoy from around the world. 

The NJ Legislature agrees: “The BPU should be able to share these impacts with the communities affected and the legislature before moving forward with these new offshore projects.” - NJ Senate President Scutari and Assembly Speaker Coughlin, August 2023

Therefore, in the name of good governance, fiscal responsibility, and environmental stewardship, we the undersigned, strongly urge NJ Governor Murphy and the NJ Board of Public Utilities to cancel the Third Solicitation and not award any additional offshore wind energy development contracts. We also demand offshore wind industrial development undergoes the thorough, transparent, and independent Government Accountability Office cost/benefit analysis (made possible by NJ Congressional Representatives Smith and Van Drew); a marine mammal study, assessment, and protection plan; and an independent, comprehensive pilot study with full public review and comment.