On October 1, Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind (Atlantic Shores) announced that it had received Construction and Operations Plan (COP) approvals from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) for Atlantic Shores Projects 1 and 2. The two offshore wind locations, leased by Atlantic Shores from the federal government, are approximately 8.7 miles offshore New Jersey at their closest points in an area between Atlantic City and Long Beach Island.
The approved COP includes up to 197 total locations for wind turbine generators, offshore substations, and a meteorological tower, with subsea transmission cables potentially making landfall in Atlantic City and Sea Girt to bring that energy from offshore to the state power grid.
“We are grateful to the Biden-Harris administration, our agency partners at the U.S. Department of the Interior and BOEM, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, and all our federal and state agency partners who helped deliver this moment for Atlantic Shores,” said Joris Veldhoven, Chief Executive Officer at Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, who also added “Securing these critical approvals enables New Jersey’s first offshore wind project to start construction next year.”
According to the press release sent out by Atlantic Shores, the project is a 50/50 partnership between Shell New Energies US LLC which is a subsidiary of the British multinational oil and gas giant Shell, alongside EDF-RE Offshore Development, LLC which is a subsidiary of EDF Renewables North America.
“Today’s announcement from Atlantic Shores represents meaningful progress toward a clean energy future for New Jersey. Growing New Jersey’s offshore wind capacity has been one of the highest priorities for my Administration,” Governor Phil Murphy was quoted as saying in the Atlantic Shores release. “Offshore wind will strengthen our state’s economy through supply chain investments and good-paying, union jobs,” sad Gov. Murphy, while giving thanks to the to the Biden-Harris Administration for clearing the way for this milestone towards achieving the governor’s plan of 100% clean electricity in New Jersey by 2035.
There are several opposition groups still battling the industrial offshore wind projects, including the non-profit group Save LBI group which filed a lawsuit against the Atlantic Shores project in September seeking injunctive relief, while asking the court to require Atlantic Shores South to complete a full airborne noise assessment and pilot project before the project can proceed.
A comprehensive report on the potential impacts of offshore wind energy development is expected to be released this fall by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). The independent watchdog agency of Congress said the review would include impacts on “infrastructure and vessel traffic,” as well as impacts on the environment, tourism and the local fishing industry.
While many coastal fishermen are concerned about what those impacts might be – and anxious for release of the GAO’s final report – Capt. Paul Eidman who is referenced in the Atlantic Shores release as a “fisherman” was quoted enthusiastically endorsing the industrial offshore wind projects. “Offshore wind isn’t just a new way to harness energy; it’s an opportunity for us fishermen to protect our waters and create a sustainable future for both our industry and the environment,” said Eidman, while adding “Embracing this clean energy means ensuring our oceans thrive for generations to come.”
According to his LinkedIn page, Eidman has been a consultant to non-government organizations through USGreenzone, a Monmouth County based limited liability company (LLC) for which Eidman has been key principal since 1991. In an October 3, 2018 email to The Fisherman prior to an industrial offshore wind rally in Asbury Park, Eidman described himself as an independent contractor working in the conservation advocacy field.
“I have been hired by NWF (National Wildlife Federation) to be the NJ rep for Anglers for Offshore Wind Power and I am not shy about that. It’s not a secret,” Eidman said in the email.
