Supporters and detractors of the state’s plan to create offshore renewable energy projects in the Atlantic Ocean off the New Jersey coastline are ramping up their educational campaigns.
Both sides are conducting outreach campaigns to support their viewpoint of the issue, which could bring 1,510 megawatts of renewable energy to more than 700,000 households in the state.
Defend Our Beaches NJ will hold a press conference at 10 a.m. June 25 on the Atlantic City Boardwalk at South Belmont Avenue, ahead of a virtual meeting scheduled for 6 that evening during which Atlantic City will hold a public hearing on Atlantic Shores’ request to the state Department of Environmental Protection to divert previously restricted lands.
Atlantic Shores is planning to route underground electrical cables from the turbines nine miles offshore through Atlantic City to a connection point in Egg Harbor Township.
The virtual meeting will gather comments about Atlantic Shores’ request to divert restrictions previously imposed by the Green Acres protected lands program to route electric cables along the beach in Atlantic City, Boardwalk, city streets, Pete Pallitto Field, Atlantic City Boathouse and Bader Field.
Detractors of the plan say the project will jeopardize the health and safety of Atlantic City residents and impact the tourism economy.
According to Sherri Lilienfeld, who is heading up communication for Defend Our Beaches NJ, the press conference agenda will include commentary from Somers Point attorney Seth Grossman of Liberty & Prosperity.com; Brigantine Mayor Vince Sera, a history teacher at Oakcrest High School, and community activist and gospel radio host Steve Young of Atlantic City.
Grossman will explain the state’s Green Acres Diversion Program request, Sera will speak on how the project will impact shore towns. And Young will speak on environmental justice issues.
Atlantic City will hold its virtual public meeting 6 p.m. June 25 to receive public comment on the diversion of restrictions on 1.8 acres of city-owned land, including 1.35 acres of beach and Boardwalk parcels between South Texas and Iowa avenues, .19 acres of land at Bader Field and .26 acres at Pollitto Field and the Boathouse at Fairmount and Sovereign avenues.
Members of the public may participate in the hearing via video conference at https://bit.ly/green-acres-offshore or by calling 877-853-5247, and entering 823 4121 1062 as the webinar ID, and 469898 as the passcode.
The public hearing will also be televised at Atlantic City Council Chambers in City Hall, 1301 Bacharach Blvd. Members of the public may view the public hearing and submit comments during the broadcast.
Read Atlantic Shores diversion application here: Green Acres Diversion Application (Part 1)
Then from 4 to 7 p.m. June 26, the NJ Economic Development Authority, Department of Environmental Protection, Board of Public Utilities and Department of Labor and Workforce Development will host an open house informational meeting on the offshore wind projects at Atlantic Cape Community College's Worthington Campus at 1535 Bacharach Blvd. in Atlantic City.
Attendees will be able to meet with state representatives and offshore wind developers, including Atlantic Shores, and ask questions about the planned development of wind turbines off the coast of New Jersey.
