Troubled N.J. Pilot Wind-Project Wins Millions in Federal Funding

Fishermen's Energy LLC, a company that has proposed a five-turbine, 25-megawatt offshore wind farm near Atlantic City, N.J., yesterday was named one of three offshore wind developers to receive up to $47 million in Department of Energy funding.

Of the seven contenders vying for a DOE award, Fishermen's Energy was the only fully permitted project. But over the past several months, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) has twice denied bids by Fishermen's to participate in a state program that would obligate utilities to buy power from the wind farm, in part because the developer had not yet secured the DOE grant.

Fishermen's filed an appeal of the agency's decision to the New Jersey appellate court Monday, according to attorney Stephen Pearlman, outside counsel for the developer in its case against the BPU.

Some New Jersey-based environmental advocates have openly speculated that ahead of the next presidential election, Gov. Chris Christie (R) may have influenced the BPU's actions in an attempt to distance himself from renewable energy. New Jersey Sierra Club Director Jeff Tittel said yesterday that Christie "continues to hold offshore wind hostage to his national political ambition."

The governor's office did not respond to a request for comment on Fishermen's Energy's win.

Troubled N.J. Pilot Wind-Project Wins Millions in Federal Funding