GALLOWAY – The Hughes Center at Stockton University released poll results, Sept. 28, that reinforced the message in a Monmouth University poll in August: Support for the state’s offshore wind initiative is declining.
Both polls argue that majority support for offshore wind still exists in New Jersey, but both also show growing opposition that has eroded the comfortable majority supporting the initiative as recently as 2019.
The Herald reported on the Monmouth poll, Aug. 30, which showed eroding support from a high of 76% supporting offshore wind and only 15% opposed in 2019 to a much lower 54% in support and 40% now opposed.
The Hughes Center poll results document a 30-point drop in support among adult New Jersey residents who moved from being 80% in favor of the offshore wind initiative to 50% in the new poll. Those living in communities that border the ocean or the bay showed an even greater erosion of support, moving from 77% supporting the turbines in 2019 to 33% in the new poll.
Simultaneous with the release of the Hughes Center poll results, the center also released an audio interview with Stockton Professor Patrick Hossay, who is professor of sustainability and energy studies at the university. In the audio presentation, Hossay defends the safety record of the offshore wind turbines, champions the efforts to put wind farms off the Jersey coast, and discusses for the uninitiated how the wind turbines work to produce energy.
In both polls, the arguments used by those opposing the wind farms are gaining support. Simultaneously, the arguments meant to bolster support, especially those positive economic benefits, are seeing support erode.
Although the Hughes Center poll results continued to show a slim majority (51%) saying it is very important for the state to take actions to combat climate change, belief that the offshore wind initiative will improve local job opportunities was only 45%.
Contact the author, Vince Conti, at vconti@cmcherald.com.
