TRENTON – Gov. Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 79 Aug. 16 to establish a Council for the Wind Innovation and New Development (WIND) Institute.
According to a release, that entity is charged with developing and implementing a plan to create a regional hub for New Jersey’s offshore wind industry and build upon the Murphy Administration’s commitment to making New Jersey a national leader in offshore wind.
“From job creation to workforce development to reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, the WIND Institute and the council tasked with its development make good on our commitment to building a New Jersey economy fit for the 21st century,”stated Murphy.“Centralizing the state’s resources under one roof allows us to leverage the considerable expertise at our disposal to enhance our position as a national leader in offshore wind development.”
The council will recommend the WIND Institute’s governance structure, identify sources of funding and gaps in existing resources, and develop and recommend the organization’s primary functions.
The council is a cross-governmental coordinating effort with membership from the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, Economic Development Authority, Board of Public Utilities and the Departments of Education, Environmental Protection, and Labor and Workforce Development, in addition to the Governor’s Chief Policy Advisor and Chief Counsel.
Originally identified in the governor’s 2018 economic plan, the WIND Institute will position New Jersey as a leader in offshore wind by promoting job creation, workforce development and training, research and development, and capital investment.
The council will issue a final report to the governor with recommendations on creating the WIND institute within four months of the council’s creation.
