New Jersey to provide $2M in funding for safe offshore wind energy development

New Jersey’s Offshore Wind Research & Monitoring Initiative (RMI) is providing nearly $2 million in additional funding to ensure the safe and responsible development of offshore wind energy through the Offshore Wind Research & Monitoring Initiative (RMI).

Projects funded through the state’s Offshore Wind Research & Monitoring Initiative include the deployment of a whale detection buoy, a study to evaluate species diversity in offshore wind development areas, and an analysis of the offshore movement of harbor seals. In addition, funding is being provided for New Jersey’s entry into the Responsible Offshore Science Alliance (ROSA), a nonprofit organization charged with advancing fish and fisheries research related to offshore wind.

“Development of offshore wind energy is a vital component of the Murphy Administration’s work to mitigate and respond to the worsening impacts of climate change,” New Jersey Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn LaTourette said. “These projects will continue to advance the collection of baseline scientific information that will help ensure the responsible development and operation of offshore wind facilities that protect our coastline and its natural resources.”

The RMI is a collaborative effort by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU). Its goal is to coordinate research on the potential impacts of offshore wind energy development.

“We are deeply committed to doing all we can to ensure our offshore wind projects are implemented in as ecologically responsible a way as possible,” NJBPU President Joseph Fiordaliso said. “We are excited about the new RMI grants and their ability to assist us in protecting the environment as we move forward to reach Governor Murphy’s goal of 11 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2040.”

To date, RMI has provided $8.5 million in funding for offshore wind-related projects.