Current:Home > Contact-usTwo groups appeal the selection of new offshore wind projects for New Jersey, citing cost-LoTradeCoin
Two groups appeal the selection of new offshore wind projects for New Jersey, citing cost
View Date:2024-12-23 20:22:59
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — Two homeowners’ groups are challenging New Jersey’s preliminary approval of two new offshore wind power projects, saying they would be unlawfully costly to electricity customers.
Protect Our Coast New Jersey and Defend Brigantine Beach and Downbeach filed an appeal to the approval Tuesday in state court, saying that power contracts granted to the project developers violate state law.
The state Board of Public Utilities in January chose Attentive Energy LLC and Leading Light Wind LLC to build offshore wind projects.
But the contracts they were awarded violate New Jersey law that mandates that any increase in rates for offshore wind must be exceeded by economic and environmental benefits to the state, according to attorney Bruce Afran, who filed the appeal on behalf of the groups.
“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, government affairs director for Defend Brigantine Beach. “Besides the cost to residents, the rate impacts to commercial and industrial users will be severe, up to 25 and 30% respectively. Many businesses may have to close under that financial pressure.”
The BPU declined comment Friday.
In announcing the new projects in January, the board said they would add $6.84 a month to the average residential customer’s bill; $58.73 a month to the average commercial bill and $513.22 a month to the average industrial bill.
Edward O’Donnell of Whitestrand Consulting, who has prepared a report in support of the appeal, said the board has “deliberately and improperly chosen to use hypothetical benefits to future global populations from reduced carbon emissions at an extremely high value to justify the exorbitant prices for power from these projects.”
The groups also say the board failed to include over $5 billion in added costs for onshore transmission upgrades, which they said will push electric rates even higher.
At a press conference last week touting the projects, Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy said they will “guarantee that New Jerseyans have access to clean, affordable energy produced right here in our state.”
The action brings the state’s total of preliminarily approved offshore wind projects to three — the same level it was at before Danish wind developer Orsted scrapped its two wind farms proposed for the state’s southern coast in October. The projects join Atlantic Shores, a previously approved wind farm.
The board is preparing for a fourth round of project solicitations.
___
Follow Wayne Parry on X, formerly Twitter, at www.twitter.com/WayneParryAC
veryGood! (687)
Related
- Oprah Winfrey Addresses Claim She Was Paid $1 Million by Kamala Harris' Campaign
- Biden and Trump offer worlds-apart contrasts on issues in 2024’s rare contest between 2 presidents
- Step Back in Time to See The Most Dangerous Looks From the 2004 Met Gala
- You'll Love These 25 Secrets About The Mummy Even if You Hate Mummies
- She's a trans actress and 'a warrior.' Now, this 'Emilia Pérez' star could make history.
- Who will run in Preakness 2024? Mystik Dan and others who could be in field at Pimlico
- Lando Norris earns 1st career F1 victory by ending Verstappen’s dominance at Miami
- Kevin Spacey denies new sexual harassment and assault allegations to be aired in documentary
- Mother of Man Found Dead in Tanning Bed at Planet Fitness Gym Details His Final Moments
- 1 dead, 5 wounded in Birmingham, Alabama, shooting, police say
Ranking
- Could trad wives, influencers have sparked the red wave among female voters?
- Shooting suspect dies following police standoff that closed I-80 in Bay Area Friday
- Handicapping the 2024 Kentucky Derby: How to turn $100 bet into a profitable venture
- Boeing locks out its private firefighters around Seattle over pay dispute
- Blake Shelton Announces New Singing Competition Show After Leaving The Voice
- Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese make pro debuts as WNBA preseason begins
- It's tick season: What types live in your area and how to keep them under control
- Beyoncé collaborators Willie Jones, Shaboozey and the conflict of being Black in country music
Recommendation
-
Indiana in the top five of the College Football Playoff rankings? You've got to be kidding
-
Spoilers! How Jerry Seinfeld pulled off that 'fantastic' TV reunion for his Pop-Tart movie
-
1 dead, 5 wounded in Birmingham, Alabama, shooting, police say
-
Israel's Netanyahu is determined to launch a ground offensive in Rafah. Here's why, and why it matters.
-
Walmart Planned to Remove Oven Before 19-Year-Old Employee's Death
-
Complaints, objections swept aside as 15-year-old girl claims record for 101-pound catfish
-
How Author Rebecca Serle’s Journey to Find Love Inspired Expiration Dates
-
Mike Trout's GOAT path halted by injuries. Ken Griffey Jr. feels the Angels star's pain.