Assemblyman Matthew Milam, left, listens as Sen. Jeff VanDrew speaks July 31 supporting support for a project of Fisherman's Energy of New Jersey, LLC to develop offshore wind turbines. Photo by Jack Fichter

COLD SPRING - Sen. Jeff Van Drew and Assemblymen Matt Milam and Nelson Albano (all D-1st) stood on the docks of the Lobster House July 31 to announce their support for a project of Fisherman's Energy of New Jersey, LLC to develop offshore wind turbines.

Fisherman's Energy, headquartered in Cape May, is proposing a two phase project starting with the construction of eight 2.5 megawatt (MW) wind turbines about three miles off the coast of Atlantic City in state waters. That pilot project would produce 20 MW of power to be sold to rural customers.

Phase II would construct 66 wind turbines in federal waters about seven to 10 miles off the coast of Atlantic City and produce 330 MW which would be sold to municipal, commercial, industrial and other customers in the state.

Van Drew said the project was both economically and environmentally sound.

“Quite frankly, we have lacked a real energy policy in this country for decades and that has to come to an end,” he said.

Van Drew said the Governor, legislators and state Board of Public Utilities (BPU) and Department of Environmental Protection agree this nation needs to stop its reliance on fossil fuel. They have set forth a goal of by the year 2020 that 20 percent of the state's energy needs can be produced by renewal energy, mainly wind turbines supplying 3,000 MW.

No wind turbines are located off any coast of the U.S.

Van Drew said by starting with eight windmills in state waters, studies could be undertaken of the impact of the windmills on the environment, navigation, fishing, and tourism. He said he believed there would be no negative effect on fish based on the effect of windmills offshore in European waters.

Assemblyman Albano said New Jersey could be the first state in the nation to build an off shore wind project. He blamed the current energy crisis on oil speculators driving up gasoline costs.

“This is crippling the nation,” he said.

Ridding itself of the dependency of fossil fuels could be the most remarkable thing this nation can do, said Albano.

Van Drew said he did want to see the United States become a third world country and lose its leadership in the world.

“We better get off our duff and do something,” he said.

Daniel Cohen, owner of Cape Atlantic Fisheries and a partner in Fisherman's Energy, said BPU delayed making a decision on off shore wind projects until Oct. 2. He said 13 reviewers were examining applications.

More than one group has submitted proposals for offshore wind projects.

Cohen said his group has identified a cost of $100 million, financing sources and its customer base.

“All we really need is the go ahead from the state, so we can build the pilot project for testing,” he said.