"The Biden administration announced Monday what it called “a set of bold actions” to jump-start offshore wind that could provide a big boost to New Jersey’s own ambitious plans for wind power generation off its coast. The White House said its new goal will create thousands of jobs along the East Coast, into the Gulf of Mexico, and along the Pacific Coast. And many of those will be good-paying union jobs, it said."

"It’s clear that the development of offshore wind energy is set in stone — concrete and steel to be more precise. In Paulsboro, the state is finishing work on the first new port in half a century on the Delaware River. The monopile factory in Paulsboro will create 500 union jobs. Another 1,500 workers are expected to be needed at the wind port in Salem (adjacent to the state’s three nuclear generating stations). Hundreds of more jobs in Atlantic County will involve constructing, maintaining and servicing the wind turbines."

"Working in offshore wind, a field that brings clean energy, increases environmental progress, improves public health and boosts economic opportunity makes me proud to do what I do every day.

Thankfully, the majority of New Jersey residents agree with me, as poll after poll shows that offshore wind is very popular among New Jerseyans. With so many benefits, it is not surprising that a large majority of residents support offshore wind for the Garden State."

“We’re talking about a whole new workforce of construction and maintenance jobs, work for architects and engineers of all types, mapping and surveying, computer and telecommunications, transportation and maintenance jobs,” said Jane Asselta, vice president of the Southern New Jersey Economic Development Council, a nonprofit.

“Painting and skilled metal manufacturing jobs, legal, accounting, banking, and financial services. The list of services and materials needed goes on and on,” Asselta said. “Not since the casino industry came to South Jersey have we seen a workforce of this size being created.”

New Jersey ranks 7th amongst Atlantic coastal states for its technical potential for total offshore wind power but first in the states for current projects in the pipeline, according to a new report released today by Environment New Jersey Research & Policy Center and Frontier Group. The report, Offshore Wind for America, examines U.S. offshore wind potential by both coastal region and by state, while documenting the status of existing projects and technological advances. New Jersey could provide 379% of its 2019 electrical needs and 167% of its 2050 electrical usage with offshore wind alone, according to an analysis using National Renewable Energy Laboratory data.

“New Jersey has some of the largest offshore wind potential in the country, with one project already in development and two more expected to get initial approvals from the state Board of Public Utilities in June."

"The news last week that Ørsted’s Pro-NJ Grantor Trust Fund will be awarding $15 million in grants to small businesses looking to get involved in the offshore wind industry will be a significant boost to the New Jersey economy — especially since the fund is looking to help companies that are run by women and those from underserved communities.

The program, however, doesn’t begin to put into perspective just how big this industry can be for the state. Besides the green energy component, which is important for the climate change issue, it really is an economic stimulus machine."

"Victor Teran and his colleagues at Banker Steel in South Plainfield go to work every day proud that their skill and dedication keep some of New York City’s biggest buildings sturdy and safe.

Skyscraper developers buy steel fabricated by Teran and about 200 other members of United Steelworkers Local 8288-67 because they understand their need for top-quality material produced by highly trained workers nearby.

And Teran knows that America’s unionized manufacturing workforce earned the right to deliver the same supply-chain reliability to the builders of other mammoth structures — wind turbines."

“Today was a win-win for offshore wind. Not only is New Jersey a national leader in offshore wind, but today we took two big steps forward. The first big step was that we increased our offshore wind program to 7,500MW by 2035. It was a goal before, but now it has been codified as policy. The BPU is also signing an agreement with PJM, making New Jersey the first state to do a feasibility study with them and come up with a coordinated effort to bring power onshore."

"The New Jersey Wind Port is particularly well-timed as we struggle to mitigate the public health risks posed by COVID-19 and grapple with the economic devastation the pandemic has caused. Recent New York Times analysis of Center for Disease Control data has shown COVID-19 is disproportionately harming people of color, in large part because they live in communities with high concentrations of dangerous emissions from dirty energy sources that cause long-term lung damage. At the same time, economic data clearly shows the COVID-19 recession has had a disproportionate impact on minority-, women-, and LGBTQ-owned businesses, many of which were already disadvantaged because of historic unequal access to capital and opportunities.

The Wind Port will address both of these problems by reducing New Jersey’s reliance on dirty energy sources and creating safe, accessible employment opportunities for folks in underserved communities."