New Jersey last month rejected for the third time the long-gestating 25-MW Nautilus offshore wind pilot project—citing its still-high cost. But the state also received three bids for larger projects considered more cost effective as its reinvigorated clean energy push proceeds on the first 1,100-MW phase of an effort to build 3,500 MW of offshore wind capacity by 2030.
The state program is catching up after eight years of inaction under former Gov. Chris Christie (R). He was succeeded by Phil Murphy (D) in 2018. State utilities board President Joe Fiordaliso promoted the effort at an offshore wind conference in November, but said the Nautilus project off Atlantic City, now owned by EDF Renewables, had “a price too high and benefits too tentative.” The state requires wind farm developers to show a net economic benefit to ratepayers.