A onetime aide to Gov. Phil Murphy, Paulina Banasiak O’Connor, has been named to head the newly formed New Jersey Offshore Wind Alliance. The alliance is a product of the Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Coalition, a nonprofit dedicated to the expansion of renewable energy systems in the Pennsylvania-Jersey-Maryland grid region.

O’Connor served for just over four years in the Murphy administration, mostly in positions dealing with legislative affairs. She filled the position of acting deputy chief of staff to Murphy for roughly five months of that time.

Evan Vaughan, executive director of the Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Coalition, applauded the announcement in a press release, saying that the appointment of O’Connor comes in the same month the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities was expected to announce the winners of the state’s third offshore wind solicitation, which it did on Wednesday morning, Jan. 24 (separate story to come).

“New Jersey has opened an exciting new chapter for the offshore wind industry, and we’re more committed than ever to help write it,” Vaughan said.

The Offshore Wind Alliance is funded entirely from private funds from the seven active offshore wind energy developers who have lease-holding interests off the coast of New Jersey and portions of New York. Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, which just had its draft environmental impact study released by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management for a lease area off the coast of Ocean City, Maryland, is one of the contributing members.

As executive director of the alliance, O’Connor will lead efforts aimed at presenting a unified voice for the wind energy industry in New Jersey. A press release states that the organization “is being established out of a recognition the state of New Jersey’s commitment to the future of offshore wind deserves a dedicated and responsive advocate to speak for the industry.”

O’Connor is well known in the state as a board member of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority in Atlantic City and the Liberty State Park design task force in Jersey City.

“I am excited to help the renewable energy transition and work with the offshore wind industry to ensure sustainability, resulting in economic, public health and environmental benefits for the state,” she said.

The appointment of O’Connor follows the administration’s setback in 2023 when the Danish firm Orsted withdrew from its offshore wind commitments just prior to the midterm elections.

The offshore wind companies have faced criticism for failing to invest in selling the benefits of offshore wind to the public. The creation of Offshore Wind Alliance represents an attempt to fill that void, providing a focus for building stronger ties to communities while also advocating for the industry in Trenton.

Contact the author, Vince Conti, at vconti@cmcherald.com.