Offshore wind advocates tell BPU transmission planning must stay on track

Paulina O'Connor, representing the New Jersey Offshore Wind Alliance, told the Board of Public Utilities during its quarterly public comment session that offshore wind performs well in winter and is a necessary part of New Jersey's future energy mix.

"Offshore wind power generation performs beautifully in the winter," O'Connor said, citing an analysis commissioned from Charles River Associates for the New England and New York ISO that she said shows offshore wind can lower costs and improve reliability. She said the report finds that "without offshore wind, New England energy costs would rise roughly 10%, and New York state blackout risks would increase roughly 25%."

O'Connor congratulated BPU staff on the recently released Energy Master Plan and said she was pleased to see offshore wind remain a critical part of that plan. She also said a federal court decision that struck down what she described as "the president's arbitrary and capricious executive order on offshore wind" creates an opening for the industry, but that transmission planning and development remain decisive factors.

"We're extremely concerned about the future of the state agreement approach and want to make sure that that's preserved," O'Connor said, urging the board and PJM to reach a resolution so projects can resume when appropriate. She asked the board to prioritize transmission planning and said the industry stands ready to help.

The board did not take formal action on transmission planning during the public comment meeting. The board president noted the regular agenda meeting is scheduled for next Wednesday, when staff and commissioners may address docketed items related to planning and procurement.