TOMS RIVER, NJ – Eight New Jersey shore towns, through legal representation by Pashman Stein Walder Hayden P.C., have reiterated their opposition to proposed offshore wind projects. The towns filed a public comment letter on March 27 with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU), critiquing draft guidance for new offshore wind project solicitations.
The towns, including Long Beach Township, Beach Haven, Ship Bottom, Barnegat Light, Surf City, Harvey Cedars, Brigantine, and Ventnor City express concerns over the potential financial and environmental impacts of the projects. They specifically oppose the re-bidding process for previously approved projects, such as the Atlantic Shores project, fearing increased subsidies will burden New Jersey ratepayers.
The municipalities argue that under BPU’s rules, Atlantic Shores should bear any cost increases, not the public. They warn of a significant economic loss to tourism, estimating a $650 million annual downturn and over 6,000 job losses.
The comment letter also criticizes the inclusion of a 15% inflation adjustment in the BPU’s guidance, which they say contradicts the requirement for stable pricing. The towns urge the BPU to consider the full economic and environmental impact of the projects and to maintain transparency in the application review process.
Statements from Pashman Stein lawyers and local officials emphasize the potential for adverse effects on local economies and environments. They call for the BPU to reject requests for higher subsidies that could negatively affect local communities and ratepayers.
The opposition follows a series of previous filings with state agencies, underscoring the municipalities’ ongoing concerns over the Atlantic Shores project and its compliance with state coastal management rules.