For Immediate Release: Tuesday, December 22, 2020
Contact: Berenice Tompkins
(914) 564-3094
btompkins@njwec.org
Trenton — Governor Murphy’s announcement today of a $250 million investment in the Paulsboro Marine Terminal positions New Jersey to have the largest offshore wind manufacturing facility in the United States. This is the state’s second offshore wind manufacturing milestone in six months, following the July announcement of the NJ Wind Port in Lower Alloway Creek, Salem County.
The Paulsboro Marine Terminal will be built on the site of a remediated BP fossil fuel refinery and is projected to create 500 jobs in the manufacturing of steel monopile turbine components, to be deployed in offshore wind construction nationwide.
Berenice Tompkins, organizer for Jersey Renews, released the following statement in response to the Paulsboro announcement:
“We see Paulsboro as an opportunity to cement New Jersey’s position as a leader not only in renewable energy, but in building a just, green economy that serves workers, communities and our climate. Investment in a regional and national offshore wind supply chain is key to ensure this burgeoning industry creates secure, long-term union jobs here in New Jersey.
Governor Murphy stated today that manufacturing jobs at the Paulsboro Marine Terminal will be ‘high-paying and overwhelmingly union.’ This announcement signals that the state is making the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for NJ workers and local economies. We want to see a similar commitment to sourcing steel and other raw materials from US-based, union companies.”
New Jersey is breaking ground in offshore wind, with the country’s largest offshore wind project, a sizable commitment to building 7,500 megawatts of offshore wind by 2035, and the development of the first purpose-built port for offshore wind marshaling and manufacturing. Offshore wind will play a critical role in meeting New Jersey’s renewable energy mandate, and an offshore wind supply chain can put New Jerseyans back to work as part of a just, green COVID-19 recovery.”
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Jersey Renews is a state-based coalition of 65 labor, environmental and community groups fighting for state-based climate action and good, family-sustaining jobs in the transition to a green economy.
