Sound Off On Proposed Offshore Wind Farm In South Jersey

SOUTH JERSEY — A 30-day public comment session has opened for the wind energy farm proposed 15 miles off New Jersey’s southern coast.

The Ocean Wind project would install up to 98 turbines offshore about 15 miles southeast of Atlantic City. The project is expected to produce 1,100 megawatts of electricity, or enough to power 500,000 homes, according to the Federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.

The comment period will run through April 29 to determine which factors will be reviewed in the project. Written comments about the project can be submitted online or by mail.

"Public input plays an essential role for identifying and mitigating any potential impacts from proposed energy development activities," BOEM Director Amanda Lefton said in a statement.

The goal of the project is to bring clean energy to the grid, create new well-paying jobs and confront the current climate crisis, according to Lefton.

Related: Biden's Wind Energy Area Designation Could Bring 25K Jobs To NJ

BOEM will also hold three virtual public scoping meetings and accept comments on the project. Registration for the meetings can be completed here.

The virtual scoping meetings will be held at the following dates and times:

• Tuesday, April 13 at 1 p.m.
• Thursday, April 15 at 5:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 20 at 5:30 p.m.

The meetings will present multiple opportunities to discuss resources and issues, impact-producing factors, reasonable alternatives and potential mitigating measures that should be analyzed.

After the public comment session concludes in April, BOEM and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Projection will rule on the environmental impact of the project. The permitting process is expected to take two years to complete.

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