www.windaction.org | New Jersey

State may start funding energy-storage projects for solar and wind
April 10, 2013 by Tom Johnson in NJ Spotlight

Because the sun doesn't always shine and the wind doesn't always blow, energy storage is viewed as key to promoting cleaner ways of producing electricity. Energy storage is still under development. Given the intermittent nature of solar and wind, it is viewed as crucial to making clean energy competitive with conventional technologies like natural gas and coal-fired plants.

Also filed under [ General]

BRSA turbine parts damaged during Sandy
March 27, 2013 by Keith Heumiller in The Independent

A significant portion of the Bayshore Regional Sewerage Authority's multimillion dollar wind turbine was heavily damaged during superstorm Sandy, according to BRSA Executive Director Robert Fischer. The turbine's nacelle - which contains vital components such as the generator and gearbox - was likely lost during massive flooding at the Port of Newark on Oct. 29.

N.J. legislators hope to extend wind incentives
March 19, 2013 by Tom Johnson in NJ Spotlight

New Jersey is hoping to lure an offshore wind manufacturer to the state to help jump-start a green industry, but a lucrative incentive aimed at attracting the business is no longer available. ...to qualify, a company had to make its decision by the end of 2012. With a Chinese manufacturer offering to build a facility ...the bill is likely to move forward before the new fiscal year begins in June.

Also filed under [ Tax Breaks & Subsidies| Offshore Wind]

At $200M, Fishermen's Energy pilot wind farm still too pricey for rate counsel
March 15, 2013 by Tom Johnson in NJ Spotlight

Stefanie Brand, director of the division, yesterday said the pilot project nearly three miles off Atlantic City, is still opposed by her office. "It's just too expensive,'' she said. ...The projected costs also have raised alarm among business groups, which have consistently pressed the Christie administration to find ways to lower energy bills in New Jersey

Also filed under [ Offshore Wind]

Elusive offshore wind pilot moves closer to go/no-go decision
March 12, 2013 by Tom Johnson in NJ Spotlight

By the end of June, the state may decide if an offshore wind farm will be built about three miles from Atlantic City's beaches. In an order signed last Thursday, the New Jersey Board of Utilities established a procedural schedule, saying it expects to take action on the proposal by June 30 -- an application that has been pending before the regulatory agency since May 2011.

Also filed under [ General]

Winds of change at BRSA
February 26, 2013 by Keith Heumiller in The Independent

"The continuation of the proposed wind turbine will cause further division, additional loss of tranquility and create a significant impairment to bring local residents together at a time when partnerships, collaborations, relationships and a strong community for a generation or more is needed to rebuild Union Beach and the entire coastline of Raritan Bay."

Also filed under [ General]

Offshore wind farms get a slow start in New Jersey
February 25, 2013 by Michael Miller in The Press of Atlantic City

Fisherman's Energy is awaiting its last state approvals, from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, which has to decide whether the green benefits of offshore wind justify comparatively higher costs that could raise electric rates for consumers.

Also filed under [ Offshore Wind]

Proposed wind farm off Atlantic City coast stirs debate over costs
February 24, 2013 by Andrew Maykuth in Philidelphia Inquirer

Acadian, the Louisiana consultant the rate counsel hired, estimates the Fishermen's project would cost $282.2 million over 20 years, including operation and maintenance costs, and would generate only $74.2 million in revenue. It would require $208 million in subsidies from ratepayers.

Also filed under [ Impact on Economy| Tourism]

Despite positive signs, future of N.J. wind energy remains uncertain
January 20, 2013 by Alexi Friedman in The Star-Ledger

"I think wind energy is a good thing but they have to be very careful about ratepayer subsidy," said Stefanie Brand, executive director for the Rate Counsel, essentially the state's watchdog. "Unless we are going to get a greater benefit than it costs us, money wise and environmental benefit, we can't ask ratepayers to subsidize it." Fishermen's Energy, whose website says it will begin construction this year, is still trying to convince the BPU about those benefits.

Also filed under [ Offshore Wind]

N.J. will be first phase of construction for proposed offshore wind power transmission line
January 15, 2013 by Alexi Friedman in The Star-Ledger

The offshore high voltage cable project, called Atlantic Wind Connection, would link wind energy farms up and down New Jersey, connecting an estimated 3,000 megawatts of wind turbine electricity to power nearly 1 million households, according to the company website. The entire undertaking will take an estimated 10 years to complete.

Also filed under [ Offshore Wind| USA]

Superior Court rules for BRSA
October 18, 2012 by Keith Heumiller in The Independent

In her decision, Kilgallen said that the DEP permit - in conjunction with a state statute passed shortly after the Union Beach ordinance that forbids municipalities from imposing unreasonable restrictions on turbine projects - prevented the borough from applying its ordinance to the BRSA turbine.

Also filed under [ General]

Offshore wind farm plans for NJ blown up and down
October 8, 2012 by Eliot Caroom in The Star-Ledger

How many years must a wind farm be planned before it is built in the sea? The answer for New Jersey projects is blowin' in the wind. Several companies have planned to build clusters of turbines spinning off the New Jersey coast, but some are making more headway than others.

Also filed under [ General]

Union Beach hires lawyer for wind turbine fight
September 30, 2012 by Hartriono B. Sastrowardoyo in Asbury Park Press

In August, it was ruled that the authority needed site plan approval from the borough Planning Board before it could install and operate the wind turbine. Now, BRSA will be asking Union Beach to correct what Fischer has called a mapping error. The borough's zoning map places the BRSA property in a residential zone.

Also filed under [ General]

Did the cost of subsidizing offshore wind just hit a downdraft?
September 19, 2012 by Tom Johnson, in NJ Spotlight

The Atlantic City project is facing steep hurdles to win approval ...The BPU's own consultant questioned the net economic benefits of the project. A consultant retained by the New Jersey Division of Rate Counsel voiced similar concerns previously. At the heart of the issue is just how much state subsidies paid by electric customers are necessary to make the projects viable.

Also filed under [ General]

2 years after Christie's call for green era, little has changed
September 2, 2012 by James Osborne in The Inquirer

The logjam in New Jersey mirrors the situation up and down the Eastern Seaboard, as the future of federal price supports falls into doubt and the promise of clean, renewable power goes up against the high price tag of installing 400-foot-tall turbines 20 miles out to sea.

Also filed under [ General]

Turbine Plans Hit Headwind
August 23, 2012 by Jill P. Capuzzo in The New York Times

"They have 23,000 customers and claim they'll save $400,000 from the turbine," he said. "If you divide it, I'm going to save about $18 a year, but I'm going to lose about $50,000 value on my house. I'd rather just pay the bill if that's O.K."

Also filed under [ General]

BRSA takes down wind turbine construction crane, plans to ask appellate court to reconsider
August 15, 2012 by Chelsea Naso in Matawan Aberdeen Patch

In July 2012, the appellate court issued an injunction ordering the BRSA to stop construction and remove construction materials, including the 270-foot crane that would have been used to assemble the pieces of the turbine. The injunction came just days before the wind turbine components were set to be delivered.

Also filed under [ General]

Authority disassembles crane for Union Beach wind turbine
August 15, 2012 by Hartriono B. Sastrowardoyo in Asbury Park Press

"It is unlikely, given this delay, that the turbine will be delivered in the next two months. Therefore the continued rental of the crane is not justified," said BRSA executive director Robert C. Fischer.

Also filed under [ General]

Court sides with Union Beach on wind turbine appeal
August 10, 2012 by Chelsea Naso in Matawan Aberdeen Patch

After an injunction was granted to halt construction of the turbine in July, the Union Beach Planning Board has won their appeal against the Bayshore Regional Sewerage Authority.

Also filed under [ General]

Appellate ruling means Union Beach crane will come down
August 10, 2012 by Hartriono B. Sastrowardoyo in Asbury Park Press

The authority started construction, installing the turbine's foundation despite a warning from the state Department of Environmental Protection that it was proceeding at its own risk while the matter was in litigation.

Also filed under [ General]

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