For Immediate Release: November 19, 2019

Contact: Norah Langweiler, NJ Work Environment Council, 908-303-4546 ext. 302

Jersey City – On Tuesday, November 19, Governor Murphy appeared with former Vice President Al Gore to announce an increase of New Jersey’s offshore wind commitment to 7500 megawatts by 2035. This is a marked increase to the original goal of 3500 megawatts by 2030 which was, at the time it was announced, the largest goal in the country.

With Governor Murphy’s leadership, New Jersey is continuing to lead the charge on renewable energy. On the heels of the announcement of the WIND Institute made at Jersey Renews’ Time for Turbines event this past August, this announcement further cements the administration’s commitment to addressing climate change through actionable efforts to reduce our carbon outputs and greenhouse gas emissions.

“This is exactly the kind of goal New Jersey needs for our environment and to be competitive to bring offshore wind manufacturing to the state of New Jersey,” said Debra Coyle McFadden, executive director, New Jersey Work Environment Council. “Thank you Governor Murphy for your continued leadership on offshore wind. Creating good, union jobs in the renewable energy sector is a win for workers and clean air – and an essential step to ensuring the health of our climate.”

“Offshore wind has the potential to power New Jersey – we just need to be able to harness the wind. Today’s historic offshore wind goal set by Gov. Murphy reinforces that New Jersey has become a national leader in offshore wind,” said Doug O’Malley, director of Environment New Jersey. “Offshore wind is a goldmine of clean energy off the Jersey Shore. It is the single best way to power our state with clean, renewable energy and provide a roadmap for the clean energy economy. Putting steel in the water takes time, but Gov. Murphy has made it clear that offshore wind is going to transform our electric grid.”

“Together, we must press without tiring towards a sustainable future – for the sake of our children, for workers, for those most vulnerable to a more violent climate. Today’s announcement represents an important leap forward in the race of our lives, a race we can’t afford to lose,” said Fletcher Harper, executive director, GreenFaith.

“Creating opportunities for clean renewable energy will set NJ on the right path towards a healthier environment. Nurses and health professionals are treating and caring for those struggling with public health concerns such as asthma, COPD and various forms of cancer which are associated with poor air quality in our state. We applaud Governor Murphy and his administration for exploring long term strategies to reduce greenhouse gases to promote a healthier environment for future generations,” said Debbie White, RN and President of HPAE.

“This is an exciting day for renewable energy in New Jersey. A bigger offshore wind goal means more sustained investment which creates more opportunity for direct and indirect jobs. With the labor and environmental protections Jersey Renews is working with the industry to enact, offshore wind will be a boon for our environment, our workers, and our economy,” said Norah Langweiler, Campaign Organizer for Jersey Renews.

“We are thrilled to hear Governor Murphy’s announcement that bigger things are ahead of us on the offshore wind horizon. New Jersey is a national front runner,” stated Amy Goldsmith, NJ State Director, Clean Water Action. “It is imperative that we do everything we can to reduce climate gases by 45% by 2030 as fast as we can. Ramping up renewables like wind, solar as well as advancing energy efficiency and clean transportation are critical if we are to survive the climate reality of the future which is already here.”

 “Gov. Murphy is showing the leadership we need to build out and capitalize on New Jersey’s—and America’s—offshore wind energy potential,” said BlueGreen Alliance Executive Director Jason Walsh, an ally of the coalition. “Offshore wind can create good-paying, union jobs in manufacturing components and materials, construction, operations, and maintenance—especially if projects like these utilize project labor agreements and a domestic supply chain. We thank Gov. Murphy for his leadership to reduce the emissions driving our climate crisis and for providing the opportunity to create good jobs.”

“The Rutgers AAUP-AFT faculty and grad union welcomes Governor Murphy’s enlarged commitment to offshore wind, particularly if it adds good, union jobs in the construction, manufacturing, and transportation sectors,” said David Hughes, chair of the Green New Deal Committee and treasurer for AAUP-AFT and professor of anthropology at Rutgers Univerity. “Addressing the climate crisis, however, requires more: the State must also commit to reductions in fossil fuel use. We hope the governor and lawmakers will work with local unions, frontline communities, and other stakeholders to develop a plan to decarbonize our state’s economy fairly, equitably, and in accord with the latest science.”

“Generating energy from offshore wind for New Jersey is a critical and necessary component of the energy mix of the future that will enable New Jersey to reach its clean energy goals, ensure that we fulfill our Divine mandate of stewardship to safeguard the health and wellbeing of all our residents and future generations, and provide economic opportunity for New Jerseyans and labor through the construction, delivery, installation, inter-connection, and long-term maintenance of these wind turbines,” said Imam Saffet A. Catovic, Chair of Green Muslims of New Jersey.

“Governor Murphy’s major announcement today doubling the state’s offshore wind goal comes at a historic time for confronting the climate crisis. We applaud the Governor for his remarkable leadership raising the bar on New Jersey’s clean energy targets,” said Collin O’Mara, President & CEO of National Wildlife Federation. “Responsibly developed offshore wind power is a golden opportunity for New Jersey and our nation to create good-paying careers, strengthen our economy, and protect people and wildlife from climate impacts.”

“Offshore wind will move us forward when it comes to clean energy and green jobs. It is one of the most reliable and cost-effective ways to reduce greenhouse gases and get renewable energy to scale. This is one of the biggest offshore wind proposals in the nation and an opening for more progress on wind energy.” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “This is a wind, win, win; A win for the environment, a win for the battle against climate change, and win for our economy. Offshore wind will help create green jobs and move forward on reducing our GHG’s.”

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About Jersey Renews

Jersey Renews is a broad coalition of labor, environment, and faith organizations working to make New Jersey a leader in climate policy by increasing clean energy infrastructure, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and ensuring good, family-sustaining jobs in the transition to a clean energy economy. www.jerseyrenews.org