Another Massive NJ Wind Project Blows Off Construction to Wait Trump Out

Let me tell you what.

This has been so delicious. Sitting here watching all of rodential New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s Green grifting schemes flutter to earth in little flaming, fluttering, fragile wisps of so much worthless detritus like tiny pieces of canvas falling to earth after the Hindenburg went boom.

His climate cult fantasies are all blowed up.

Atlantic Shores, the cornerstone of the verminous Murphy’s renewable energy plans for the state, has been struggling along in what sailors would call ‘being in irons’ – where the prevailing wind is so stiff in your face, a ship makes no progress and might even be driven backward a little.

That’s what has happened to the Atlantic Shores offshore wind farm since Trump’s election and especially post-inauguration.

In February, their biggest partner, Shell, walked away from the project. 

Shortly thereafter, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and the Public Utilities Board delivered their own one-two punches which left the project reeling.

In a sign of the struggling times for the offshore wind industry in the state and the country, ROI-NJ has learned that N.J. Economic Development Authority CEO Tim Sullivan Monday said the organization is exploring alternative uses for the New Jersey Wind Port currently being built in Lower Alloways Creek in Salem County.

“In light of the significant uncertainties in the offshore wind market, we have decided to accelerate our strategic review of options and alternatives for the New Jersey Wind Port,” Sullivan said in a statement.

The Board of Public Utilities, heavily influenced by Gov. Phil Murphy, added a second crippling blow later Monday, saying the state would not accept any of the bids for the fourth solicitation of offshore wind, essentially ending any hope of the Atlantic Shores project 

The governor was about beaten into submission to economic reality by the time he finally yanked state funding from all new offshore wind developments.

And today we learned the Atlantic Shores development had officially requested on the 4th of June to pull the plug on the entire project. 

ANOTHER ONE DOWN. Atlantic Shores formally joins the growing list of failed offshore wind ventures. Shell & EDF’s retreat shows offshore wind in NJ isn’t viable—even for the biggest players. Time to rethink this failing experiment and stop OSW! https://t.co/q8HZrAJy14 pic.twitter.com/6LLKKtN0EY

— SaveLBI (@saveLBIorg) June 9, 2025

The company filed a request to cancel its plans and to terminate its Offshore Renewable Energy Certificate (OREC) order.

Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, a joint venture between Shell and EDF Renewables, is seeking to withdraw from its flagship New Jersey offshore wind project just months after publicly reaffirming its dedication to the state’s clean energy goals.

On June 4, the company filed a formal petition with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities requesting to terminate its Offshore Renewable Energy Certificate (OREC) order. The request, if granted, would effectively halt development of the 1.5-gigawatt wind farm located east of Atlantic City that was expected to power roughly 700,000 homes.

The withdrawl request is a major gut punch to New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy as the embattled offshore wind architect enters his final months in office.

Earlier this year, Atlantic Shores issued statements positioning itself as a key contributor to New Jersey’s clean energy future. In a February 3 press release, the company said it “stands ready to deliver on the promise of offshore wind” and called its Project 1 “the most competitive and deliverable project proposed in NJ4.” At the time, the firm expressed disappointment after the fourth offshore wind solicitation concluded without awarding any projects.

The company CEO refuses to say ‘It’s dead, Jim.’ He’s issued a warning that they’re going to wait on the sidelines for conditions to improve.

…Atlantic Shores CEO Joris Veldhoven said the filing with the Board of Public Utilities marks the close “of a chapter, but not the end for Atlantic Shores.”

“Offshore wind continues to offer New Jersey a strong value proposition that includes thousands of good-paying jobs, stable power prices, and real economic benefits,” he said. “While no ratepayer money or subsidy was spent on Atlantic Shores Project 1, this reset period presents us an opportunity to ensure utility customers continue to get a fair deal for critical infrastructure delivery. And with record demand for electricity outpacing supply, one thing’s for sure: New Jersey needs more power generation.”

And let that be a fair warning to the activists who have worked so hard to this point.

Atlantic Shores offshore wind isn’t dead according to its CEO. And the ultimate shill for offshore wind from @NJLCV claims it would have saved lives. That they think this project could be revived at some point is all the more reason to fight against EMPIRE wind. It’s a huge… pic.twitter.com/C0rKUbxY7Q

— Protect Our Coast NJ (@njcoast_protect) June 9, 2025

In the meantime, Murphy is trying to paper over the pain that his policies are going to cost New Jersey utility rate payers by cleverly disguising  a scheduled July rate hike as something entirely different. He’s managing to put it off until after this fall’s elections.

Nothing havey cavey, or underhanded about that timing from the slimey windbag when Republicans are surging in the state.

Electric bills are going up by $100 in New Jersey because Phil Murphy shuttered so many power plants.

But have no fear, taxpayers will pay ratepayers (themselves) $100/month through November, which is coincidentally when New Jersey’s major election is.

— Joe Colangelo (@Itsjoeco) June 5, 2025

Not at all.

Taking money from your left pocket and giving it back to you in your right pocket… and calling it relief!https://t.co/1uuRjEEqqC

— Senator Anthony M. Bucco (@tonybucco) June 5, 2025

That’s how they play the game.

At least there will be one less wind farm to tilt at and pay for in the meantime.