{"id":4769,"date":"2022-03-16T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-16T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/22_0011\/"},"modified":"2024-03-20T10:36:07","modified_gmt":"2024-03-20T14:36:07","slug":"22_0011","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/22_0011\/","title":{"rendered":"Murphy Administration Announces Award of Funding for Offshore Wind Environmental Studies, Entry Into Regional Science Collaborative (22\/P011)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<\/strong>
March 11, 2022<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Contact: <\/strong> \t\t\t Lawrence Hajna (609) 984-1795
\t Caryn Shinske (609) 984-1795
\t Peter Peretzman (BPU) (609) 900-5626<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

MURPHY ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES AWARD OF FUNDING FOR OFFSHORE WIND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, ENTRY INTO REGIONAL SCIENCE COLLABORATIVE<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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(22\/P011) TRENTON<\/strong> – The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and New Jersey Board of Public Utilities today announced the award of funding for studies, and will release shortly a request for proposals, to provide enhanced scientific information on the impacts of offshore wind energy development off New Jersey’s coastline as well as the state’s entry into a regional offshore-wind science collaborative.<\/p>\n

These actions, identified as priorities by a diverse group of stakeholders, are the first funded through the Offshore Wind Research & Monitoring Initiative (RMI). This collaborative effort of the DEP and BPU is working to coordinate and expand research into impacts of offshore wind development on wildlife and fisheries. The projects are funded by two offshore wind farm developers through a fund administered by the state.<\/p>\n

“This is an exciting time for the development offshore wind energy, a vital component of our work to mitigate and respond to the worsening impacts of climate change,” said Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette<\/strong>. “As the stewards of our vibrant coastal and ocean resources, my colleagues and I at the Department of Environmental Protection are committed to the continuing pursuit of research and monitoring initiatives that will help us to ensure the responsible development of offshore wind facilities and their long-term maintenance and operation.”<\/p>\n

“Through the Research & Monitoring Initiative and these initial awards, we are supporting efforts that collect critical baseline data on whales and their movements along New Jersey’s coastline, as well as contributing to regional collaboration to study the impact of offshore wind development on recreational and commercial fisheries and our rich and diverse wildlife,” said BPU President Joseph L. Fiordaliso<\/strong>. “We are committed to developing New Jersey’s offshore wind resources in an environmentally sensitive and cost-effective way so that we can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, improve air quality and public health, and protect the planet for generations to come.”<\/p>\n

“The Regional Wildlife Science Entity welcomes New Jersey as a contributing member and collaborator on offshore wind and wildlife research,” said Director Emily Shumchenia<\/strong>. “We very much look forward to working with the state to support regional approaches to define key research needs, standardize data collection and monitoring protocols, and amplify the results of ongoing offshore wind and wildlife research along the Atlantic coast.”<\/p>\n

Specifically, RMI has provided funding for:<\/p>\n