I should file this under 'It Couldn't Happen to a Nicer Guy.'
Rodential governor of New Jersey, the verminous Phil Murphy, must have felt like his dreams of turning New Jersey into a world-class Green energy empire been dropped into a Rock 'Em, Sock 'Em Robots battle.
It sure was one bout of bad news *POP!* hitting him...
In win for Trump, oil giant Shell walks away from major New Jersey offshore wind farm
In the first serious fallout from President Donald Trump’s early actions against offshore wind power, oil and gas giant Shell is walking away from a major project off the coast of New Jersey.
Shell told The Associated Press it is writing off the project, citing increased competition, delays and a changing market.
“Naturally we also take regulatory context into consideration,” spokesperson Natalie Gunnell said in an email.
Shell co-owns the large Atlantic Shores project, which has most of its permits and would generate enough power for 1 million homes if both of two phases were completed. That’s enough for one-third of New Jersey households.
It’s unclear whether Shell’s decision kills the project — partner EDF-RE Offshore Development says it remains committed to Atlantic Shores.
...after *BLAM!* another...
In a sign of the struggling times for the offshore wind industry in the state and the country, ROI-NJ has learned that N.J. Economic Development Authority CEO Tim Sullivan Monday said the organization is exploring alternative uses for the New Jersey Wind Port currently being built in Lower Alloways Creek in Salem County.
“In light of the significant uncertainties in the offshore wind market, we have decided to accelerate our strategic review of options and alternatives for the New Jersey Wind Port,” Sullivan said in a statement.
The Board of Public Utilities, heavily influenced by Gov. Phil Murphy, added a second crippling blow later Monday, saying the state would not accept any of the bids for the fourth solicitation of offshore wind, essentially ending any hope of the Atlantic Shores project (see full story here).
The announcement is not surprising.
The changing economics of the industry have made it increasingly difficult for offshore wind to develop as scheduled. The inauguration of President Donald Trump, far from a supporter of clean energy alternatives, has cast doubt on the viability of offshore wind in the U.S., too.
The industry’s challenges in New Jersey, however, predate Trump.
...after another.
Offshore wind: Decision on latest solicitation likely is end to industry governor had long championed
*KA-POW!!*
New Jersey nixes plans for fourth wind farm award
The Board of Public Utilities said Monday that it will not award any of the bids from the state’s fourth offshore wind solicitation, essentially ending the Atlantic Shores project – and seemingly finishing an offshore wind industry that Gov. Phil Murphy had long hoped would be a leader in his efforts to increase clean energy use in the state.
And while the decision came from the BPU, the governor certainly influenced its outcome.
“Developing the offshore wind industry in New Jersey is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create tens of thousands of jobs, drive an entirely new manufacturing supply chain, and secure energy independence. This is especially critical during a time when new energy generation is needed to provide our residents and business with reliable, cost-effective energy solutions,” Murphy said.
“However, the offshore wind industry is currently facing significant challenges, and now is the time for patience and prudence. I support the BPU’s decision on the fourth offshore wind solicitation, and I hope the Trump Administration will partner with New Jersey to lower costs for consumers, promote energy security, and create good-paying construction and manufacturing jobs.”
The BPU’s announcement came moments after EDA CEO Tim Sullivan said the organization is seeking alternative options for the N.J. Wind Port in Salem County – what was supposed to serve as an economic driver for the industry and the state.
You know that had to hurt.
As obstinate as Murphy has been, basically forcing this down residents' throats despite mounting protests, pushback from communities and businesses all up and down the shore...
This fight is not over for the wind projects. It's bad for business and bad for residents. Stop ruining our beaches for inefficient energy. pic.twitter.com/aH49yvuBLT
— New Jersey Project (@fight4newjersey) January 7, 2025
...and rising evidence that contrary to wind industry bought and paid-for assurances from formerly revered environmental/conservation groups, the wind industry is killing ocean life even before the first tower goes up, Murphy kept at it. Berating wind developers when they dropped projects, threatening to sue everyone, and berating his citizens for not realizing the wonders he was working for them, even as their electrical bills skyrocketed before the first turbine had ever been installed. None have as of yet.
ALAS AND ALACK
The governor has, at last, thrown in the towel and said the state will no longer provide monies to the offshore industry for new project developments. The bank is closed.
New Jersey will not provide financial backing to new offshore wind projects, Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration announced Monday. The decision blows a hole in his environmental agenda and legacy and effectively dooms Atlantic Shores, a project off the coast of Atlantic City that has been the focus of opposition from President Donald Trump and Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.).
Murphy, a term-limited Democrat, took office in 2018 hoping offshore wind projects would be a perfect issue to unite a liberal coalition and ensure his legacy by providing clean energy to fight climate change and mega projects to employ union workers.
Instead, the industry is in tatters and Murphy will leave office without a single wind turbine in the water.
In a statement, the governor called the industry a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to create tens of thousands of jobs, drive an entirely new manufacturing supply chain, and secure energy independence,” but he acknowledged the realities facing it. He said the “offshore wind industry is currently facing significant challenges, and now is the time for patience and prudence.”
All the machination of the Biden administration in hustling out the permits for these were in vain. The industry is incapable of standing on its own, and knowing there is no support coming from the Trump White House, now that there will be no subsidies available to poach from state coffers as well, sounds the death knell for further wind projects in the Atlantic off the shore.
This stuff just isn’t profitable without govt subsidies https://t.co/qClkSosoEz
— HedgedIn (@noalpha_allbeta) February 3, 2025
And it is going to be very interesting to see if the projects still pounding pylons for platforms can keep making noise over the next few months as the money dries up.
With the collapse of the offshore wind fiasco in New Jersey, the @NJLCV is losing a pipeline of free money from the @PhilMurphy administration, NJEDA and the big oil companies that were supposed to build @ATLShoresWind
— Protect Our Coast NJ (@njcoast_protect) February 7, 2025
They need stacks of Benjamins to keep paying their… https://t.co/ED0Dvo4KpN pic.twitter.com/zIlRvHUQuN
It's not going to get any easier for financing or any cheaper for materials.
But it sure is going to save New Jersey ratepayers in the long run, though, even with the offshore farms they still have in construction.
Shell's recent decision to halt its $1 billion offshore wind project in New Jersey underscores a troubling trend in the renewable energy sector.
— Stephen Moore (@StephenMoore) February 3, 2025
With offshore wind costs surging by 30-40% over the past two years, now averaging $230/MWh, financial pressures from inflation,… pic.twitter.com/wCMklICG4T
New Jersey voters need to make sure these people never get reelected again nor have another shot at handing over their precious shoreline along with big, fat checks off their financial future to Green grifters.
Primary the crap out of every last one of them.
Remember that time our New Jersey legislature gave a BILLION dollars 💵 out to bail out off shore wind farms?
— ☕ Wαƙҽ Uρ NJ 🇺🇸 (@wakeupnj) February 4, 2025
Don't forget these things, and the money they waste https://t.co/G0YPZd1vCh pic.twitter.com/O8YSbNAy5O
So much winning.
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