Pallone Lauds Interior Department’s Plan to Open Areas off New Jersey Coast for Wind Energy Development

Agency Plans Lease Sale for 344,000 Offshore Acres in November 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, commended the Department of the Interior’s announcement that 343,833 acres off of the New Jersey coast will be offered for commercial wind energy development in a competitive lease sale on November 9, 2015.

“By pursuing commercial energy development from renewable resources off the coast of New Jersey, the Department of Interior is taking an important step toward cutting carbon pollution and developing domestic clean energy, all while creating American jobs,” said Congressman Pallone. “The New Jersey Wind Energy Area is uniquely positioned to take advantage of our vast coastline, and could generate enough clean, renewable energy to power about 1.2 million homes. New Jersey can lead the way in building a far more sustainable energy industry right here at home. With this project, an example of the future of energy policy in our country, we are well on the way.”

The New Jersey Wind Energy Area’s 343,833 offshore acres has the potential to support at least 3,400 megawatts of commercial wind energy generation. According to the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, this could power an estimated 1.2 million homes. The development area starts about seven nautical miles from shore. A map can be viewed HERE.