New Jersey

Offshore wind gets a boost in N.J. with two new projects

Published

12 months ago

January 25, 2024

Offshore wind gets a boost in N.J. with two new projects

This story is part of the WHYY News Climate Desk, bringing you news and solutions for our changing region.

From the Poconos to the Jersey Shore to the mouth of the Delaware Bay, what do you want to know about climate change? What would you like us to cover? Get in touch.

New Jersey approved two massive offshore wind projects Wednesday, expected to power up to 1.8 million homes, create 27,000 new jobs and inject more than $3 billion into the state’s economy. The unanimous decision by the state’s Board of Public Utilities comes on the heels of a major setback back in October after Danish wind giant, Orsted, announced it would cancel its projects in New Jersey, citing inflation, rising interest rates and supply chain issues.

Together, the newly approved projects will generate 3,742 megawatts of electricity, helping to slash the state’s carbon emissions by one-third and reach Governor Phil Murphy’s goal of 100% clean energy by 2035.

“Today’s actions are about the future and the contributions we make to our children and grandchildren,” said BPU Commissioner Zenon Christodoulou. “The cost of inaction is incalculable. The benefits are real. Proper investment and innovation have always served mankind, improved lives and allowed us to chart a course into the unknown.”

The winning proposals include Invenergy Energy’s Leading Light Wind, a 2,400-megawatt project about 47 miles off the coast of Atlantic City. It is expected to be completed in two phases by 2031 and 2032. Invenergy is the first U.S. company awarded a contract to build a utility scale offshore wind project.

Attentive Energy, a joint venture of the French company Total Energy and Corio Generation, will build a 1,342-megawatt project about 42 miles off the coast of Seaside Heights.

Both deals include funds to mitigate environmental impacts and agreements to purchase equipment from the Paulsboro windport, which had originally been dependent on Orsted as a customer. The German company, EEW, one of the largest manufacturers of monopiles, which serve as the foundations for turbines, will now be the supplier to both projects.

Orsted’s decision to pull out of New Jersey last October angered Gov. Murphy, who pledged to make the state the offshore wind hub for the entire East Coast, which the BPU says is now back on track.

“Depending on unreliable global energy suppliers to fuel our vehicles, to power our businesses, and to warm homes around the world, is a failure of foreign policy that has affected generations,” Christopoulou said. “We can’t kick the can down the road any longer. We have a chance to reverse that course and New Jersey will lead the way once again.”

The guaranteed price that the companies will fetch from electricity suppliers in the state is higher than what Orsted had negotiated, but in line with current fossil fuel prices. Invenergy agreed to collect $112.50 per MW hour for the first year. In addition to shoring up the Paulsboro wind port, the company also agreed to spend $94 million to help reduce electricity costs for low-income households. Attentive Energy will garner $131 per MW hour in the first year.

Critics of offshore wind have pointed to the potential impact on fisheries and tourism, as well as rising rates that will benefit company shareholders and leave ratepayers saddled with the higher costs of clean energy. Links to whale deaths have been debunked by scientists. The New Jersey Division of Rate Counsel has warned of the impacts on consumers.

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New Jersey

New Jersey Titans pull ahead in the third to defeat Maryland Black Bears – The Rink Live

Published

4 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Press Room

The New Jersey Titans were victorious against the Maryland Black Bears on Friday, Jan. 16, 2025 at Middletown Ice World Arena.

After two periods, the teams were tied at 0, but New Jersey pulled away in the third, winning the game 2-0.

The Titans first took the lead early in the third period, with a goal from Owen Leahy, assisted by

James Schneid

and

Blake Jones

The Titans increased the lead to 2-0 with 52 seconds remaining of the third after a goal from James Schneid, assisted by

Nikita Meshcheryakov

and

Ryan Friedman

Next up:

The teams play again on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025 at 6 p.m. CST at Middletown Ice World Arena.

New Jersey

Fmr. South Jersey camp director accused of sex assault released pending trial

Published

11 hours ago

January 17, 2025

Press Room

Fmr. South Jersey camp director accused of sex assault released pending trial

Friday, January 17, 2025 10:53PM

Fmr. camp director accused of sex assault released pending trial

A former South Jersey camp director accused of sexually assaulting a teenage boy is out of jail.

DEPTFORD TWP., N.J. (WPVI) — A former South Jersey camp director accused of sexually assaulting a teenage boy is out of jail.

Forty-six-year-old Tara Carr, of Woodstown, is accused of assaulting the 14-year-old four times last year and sending him inappropriate videos and photos.

She faces charges including sexual assault of a juvenile, and second-degree luring.

Carr is a former owner of Rastelli Kids Complex in Deptford Township.

A judge ruled Carr could be released pending trial.

She is scheduled to next appear in court on February 18.

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New Jersey

Devils GM ‘Open-Minded’ on NHL Trade Market

Published

19 hours ago

January 17, 2025

Press Room

Devils GM ‘Open-Minded’ on NHL Trade Market

Over the last little while, the New Jersey Devils weaknesses have exposed themselves. It’s not unlike anything we’ve already mentioned before. The Devils need depth scoring, and they need it as soon as possible. The Devils general manager explained in a recent interview that he’s “open-minded” when it comes to the NHL trade market.

MORE: Devils GM Could Be Forced Into Tough Decision

In a recent interview with The Athletic’s Pierre Lebrun, Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald disclosed he’s in the market for a center.

We know one thing is for sure. Said center will not bump Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier down the lineup. Therefore, whoever comes in is playing in the bottom-six, which fits the need for depth scoring.

“Somebody that can come in and maybe give us that extra oomph — and maybe properly slot people to make us a strong, four-line team come playoff time,” Fitzgerald told The Athletic. “And build depth because of injuries. And build competition, too. We love what we have. I just really want to add on top of that.”

As far as Fitzgerald’s open-mindedness, he explained he’s willing to pay for a rental or someone with term.

GMs cannot disclose specific names for tampering purposes, but LeBrun mentioned the likes of Ryan O’Reilly, Yani Gourde, and Scott Laughton, as possibilities. Those are all players who will certainly cost a pretty penny.

The problem? Well, right now, there’s no one team you can really point to in the Eastern Conference as a bona fide seller. With such a tight race, the NHL trade market is being held up as teams assess whether they’re going for it or not which will determine their buyer or seller status.

We’re about three-plus weeks away from the 4 Nations Face-Off. The expectation is that there will be some NHL trade activity just before the international tournament, which will act as somewhat of a trade deadline.

However, the real deadline is March 7th, and the expectation is that the Devils will certainly be adding to boost the roster.

From the sound of it, a center is the priority. Right now, the Devils deploy Justin Dowling and Curtis Lazar on the third and fourth line. Erik Haula is out with an ankle injury, and typically man’s third-line duties.

However, Haula’s struggled to fill the scoresheet and the Devils could use an upgrade.

Part of Fitzgerald’s open-mindedness is the willingness to add on the wing if his center focus doesn’t present a formidable option.

Names such as Taylor Hall, Kyle Palmieri, and Trent Fredric come to mind.

The Devils have dropped three of their last four games in overtime. They haven’t necessarily been bad losses, hanging in tight with some well-established teams.

Yet, one could certainly argue that the Devils might have swept the extra points they left on the table if they had a little more punch in their bottom-six.

Certainly, Fitzgerald is willing to deal now. However, with the hold up on the market, it could be a few weeks before anything comes to fruition—with the potential for a longer wait closer to the March 7th deadline.

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