On Thursday, May 23, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management issued a final Environmental Impact Statement for two combined projects being developed by Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, a joint venture of Shell New Energies and the French firm EDF-RE Offshore Wind Development. Atlantic Shores takes over the position of first developer in construction of New Jersey offshore wind farms following the sudden withdrawal of Orsted from its two projects. Other offshore wind developers in the state are nowhere near the construction stage.
The combined proposal for Atlantic Shores South’s projects 1 and 2 will contain up to 200 wind turbines placed about 8.7 miles off the Jersey coast at its closest point. The lease area comprises over 100 acres and is expected to have a combined capacity of 2.8 gigawatts, enough electricity to power around 1 million homes. The projects would have up to 10 offshore substations and associated transmission cables are expected to make landfall at Sea Girt, Monmouth County.
The issuance of the final impact statement moves the project to a final approval stage for construction. Offshore wind opposition groups continue to resist what they term the industrialization of the coastline.
In Cape May County offshore wind opponents held a rally on Saturday, May 25, at Asbury Avenue in Ocean City. This was followed by a subset of the protesters taking to the bridge off the Route 52 causeway into the city. Eustice Mita, CEO of Icona Resorts with hospitality properties dotting the county’s beach communities, was present to voice his opposition saying, “The fight is not over.” Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli joined the protesters as well.
The issuance of the final impact statement moves Atlantic Shores South’s Project 1 close to construction as the third largest project awarded in the United States, according to Offshore Engineer Magazine. The protests and the lawsuits will likely continue but so will the state’s push to get a major offshore wind project in play before Democrats have to face the voters as term limits force the selection of a new governor.
Contact the reporter, Vince Conti, at vconti@cmcherald.com.
