N.J. Admin. Code § Executive Order No. 92 (2019)
Governor Philip D. Murphy
Executive Order No. 92 (2019)
An Order Rescinding Paragraph 1 of Executive Order No. 8 (2018)
Issued: November 19, 2019.
Effective: November 19, 2019.
WHEREAS, New Jersey is and must continue to be a national leader in the production of renewable energy sources; and
WHEREAS, my Administration entered office with a commitment to jumpstart the offshore wind industry in New Jersey given our State's ideal geographic location; and
WHEREAS, Executive Order No. 8 (2018) called upon the Board of Public Utilities ("BPU"), the Department of Environmental Protection ("DEP"), and any other state agencies with responsibilities arising under the Offshore Wind Economic Development Act ("OWEDA") to take all necessary actions to implement OWEDA and meet the goal I established of 3,500 megawatts of offshore wind energy generation by the year 2030, which would be sufficient to power 1.5 million homes; and
WHEREAS, in February 2018, my Administration established the New Jersey Offshore Wind Interagency Taskforce, comprised of BPU, DEP, the Economic Development Authority ("EDA"), the Department of the Treasury, and the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, to work collaboratively to support my offshore wind agenda and establish a vibrant offshore wind market in our State and the Mid-Atlantic region; and
WHEREAS, in September 2018, the BPU issued a solicitation for 1,100 megawatts of offshore wind energy generation, which was awarded earlier this year; and
WHEREAS, in September 2018, I called on the BPU to consider two future solicitations for 1,200 megawatts of offshore wind generation to take place in 2020 and 2022 providing visibility for offshore wind developers, suppliers, and stakeholders; and
WHEREAS, in September 2018, the EDA issued a Request for Ideas to encourage industry investment by seeking information from qualified entities regarding the development of offshore wind port infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, in January 2019, the BPU adopted the Offshore Wind Energy Certificate funding rule, which establishes the process by which an offshore wind program is funded and how revenues earned from each project flow back to ratepayers; and
WHEREAS, in January 2019, the EDA opened applications for its Offshore Wind Tax Credit Program intended to attract investment into New Jersey's offshore wind industry; and
WHEREAS, in April 2019, my Administration announced the creation of a New Jersey Offshore Wind Supply Chain Registry that will enable investors exploring offshore wind-related projects in our State to find New Jersey-based companies to partner with or purchase from; and
WHEREAS, three months ago, I signed Executive Order No. 79 (2019) and established a Council for the Wind Innovation and New Development Institute, which will develop a plan for the creation of a hub for the burgeoning offshore wind industry in the Northeast region and our State; and
WHEREAS, the EDA recently launched its proposal for an Offshore Wind Technical Assistance Program to support local companies to develop the skills and competencies needed to participate in the offshore wind industry; and
WHEREAS, my Administration continues to engaged in outreach with New Jersey's fishing industry and conservation community to facilitate responsible offshore wind development that considers the needs of New Jersey's commercial and recreational fishing industries and ensures that natural resources are protected throughout all stages of offshore wind energy development and generation; and
WHEREAS, because of these efforts, offshore wind development is a growing economic sector in the State with increases in supply chain presence, private investment in ports, workforce development efforts, and research and development for offshore wind industry and labor; and
WHEREAS, offshore wind has the potential to deliver the scale of clean, renewable energy generation needed to meet the State's goals of 50 percent renewable energy by 2030 and 100 percent clean energy by 2050, in addition to creating a significant number of good-paying jobs; and
WHEREAS, expanding the State's offshore wind energy generation goals will ensure we achieve these clean energy goals and further strengthen New Jersey's economy;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, PHILIP D. MURPHY, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:
N.J. Admin. Code Executive Order No. 92 (2019)