Cape May County leaders celebrate offshore wind project demise
MIDDLE TOWNSHIP, N.J. (CBS) -- Cape May County leaders gathered in the courthouse Wednesday to celebrate the downfall of the Orsted Ocean Wind I and II projects.
These offshore wind projects have been a political hot topic for the Jersey Shore with proponents saying it was needed to help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, while opponents argued it would harm tourism, wildlife and the fishing industry.
Orsted said supply chain issues and inflation are responsible for the project's cancelation. But county leaders believe their opposition to the project and their federal lawsuit to stop it played a role -- and hope others don't follow their lead.
"Anyone who thinks that they're going to walk in their footprints on our beach better beware that they're not coming into Cape May County," Commissioner Director Leonard Desiderio said. "No way, no how!"
Stockton University Professor Patrick Hossay insisted offshore wind is safe and necessary to reduce the United States' carbon emissions in order to blunt the effects of climate change.
"It's a gut punch. We were really, I think, looking forward to moving forward with some real climate change action," Prof. Hossay said. "I think wind energy is a vital component to the solution to climate change. We don't get to a more sustainable energy platform in the United States without wind energy being a major component."
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, who has been an advocate for offshore wind, released a statement saying: "(The) decision by Orsted to abandon its commitments to New Jersey is outrageous and calls into question the company's credibility and competence. As recently as several weeks ago, the company made public statements regarding the viability and progress of the Ocean Wind I project."
Murphy noted that Orsted was required to put up an additional $200 million to benefit the state's offshore wind industry, and said he would make sure the company abides by that obligation.