Two citizen organizations, Protect Our Coast NJ and Defend Brigantine Beach, have filed notice to appeal the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities decision awarding two offshore wind contracts.

The awards, resulting from the state’s third solicitation of bids and made on Jan. 24 to Attentive Energy LLC and Leading Light Wind LLC, were touted by Gov. Phil Murphy as “proof that the future of offshore wind in New Jersey is as strong as ever.” Leading Light Wind would be located about 47 miles off the coast of Atlantic City, while Attentive Energy would be about 42 miles off the coast of Seaside Heights.

The citizen groups claim that the BPU awards “were made in secrecy with no opportunity for public involvement” until the BPU issued a final order. They complain that public documents pertaining to the awards are heavily redacted, including the opinions expressed by the New Jersey Division of the Rate Counsel, a state agency responsible for representing the interests of ratepayers.

“If these awards are allowed to stand, residents throughout the state could pay up to $20 billion extra for power and see their already high bills increase by up to 20% or more,” said Keith Moore, legislative affairs director for Defend Brigantine Beach.

The two groups also cite the potential for economic and environmental damage caused by industrial offshore wind energy projects.

The two new wind farms that would result from the BPU decisions show, in the words of BPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy, “that we are moving full-steam ahead.” The awards are the first since Orsted withdrew from its commitments for Ocean Wind I and II in October.

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