Building New Jersey's Clean Energy Future

The proposal will launch New Jersey toward the ambitious climate goals set by Governor Phil Murphy, leveraging RWE’s experience as the second-largest offshore wind developer globally and National Grid’s expertise as a global leader in transmission infrastructure to deliver reliable, safe and affordable power to hundreds of thousands of New Jersey homes and businesses. 

This submission was delivered in response to the state’s third offshore wind solicitation, and will add 1.3GW of additional clean energy to the 3.7GW of offshore wind projects currently being developed in New Jersey -- a significant leap toward the state’s goal of bringing 11 GW of offshore wind online by 2040.

Our proposal breaks down longstanding barriers to entry for new and existing clean energy jobs, and will allow New Jersey to develop a next-generation clean energy workforce and supply chain, all within the state’s borders.

Our investments include:

• A five-year investment in the creation of a Civilian Climate Corps (CCC), including funding for Newark, Trenton and Salem City, creating paid job training, job placement and post-placement support, with funding for 1,500 direct, full-time positions. This will be in addition to the 1,700 jobs created by Community Offshore Wind’s project.
• Investment in New Jersey-based fabrication suppliers and local companies to open new manufacturing facilities and expand existing sites for the production of major steel fabricated components.
• Investment to provide the offshore wind workforce access to reduced-cost transportation and childcare services. The services will be available to all offshore wind workers and trainees in New Jersey -- even those not working with Community Offshore Wind -- ensuring parents and workers from communities with limited public transportation or childcare resources will still have equitable access to new clean energy jobs.
• A partnership with a Women-Owned Business Enterprise in New Jersey to manufacture a support vessel to deploy, dispatch, and collect technicians for Operations and Maintenance activities. 
• A commitment to purchase a portion of all in-state goods and services from minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses.
• Community Offshore Wind recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the New Jersey AFL-CIO to negotiate a Labor Harmony Agreement to support the project once it is selected. This provides a pathway for workers to unionize in various phases of the project.

Charlie Wowkanech, President of the New Jersey AFL-CIO: “By executing a Memorandum of Understanding to negotiate a Labor Harmony Agreement with Community Offshore Wind, we are putting New Jerseyans on the path to capture long-term offshore wind careers for decades to come. The high-paying and skilled jobs in the operations and maintenance, manufacturing, and maritime sectors within offshore wind will help ensure our families have the economic prosperity to thrive throughout the State. The NJ AFL-CIO is proud to support Community Offshore Wind’s proposal to the BPU.”

Robin Peacock, Executive Director of the MEND Hunger Relief Network: “The Community Offshore Wind proposal underscores the project’s commitment to lifting up and supporting communities across our state – a commitment shared by MEND and our partners. Earlier this summer, we teamed up with Community Offshore Wind to provide 60,000 meals of local, fresh seafood to hunger relief organizations across the state. This is just one of the myriad ways that Community Offshore Wind plans to deliver resources to the overburdened communities that need it most, including investments in new supportive services to help New Jersey workers and families. We are confident they are the right partner for New Jersey and for the people that live here.”

William Mullen, President of the New Jersey Building and Construction Trades Council: “The New Jersey Building and Construction Trades Council supports Community Offshore Wind’s commitments to utilize local New Jersey union construction labor. The Project will bring high-paying jobs and workforce development programming to our communities.  This is a generational opportunity for the building trades to be a key player in ensuring the clean energy industry leads to family-sustaining careers for generations.”

Bette Jean Yank, President of Yank Marine: “Community Offshore Wind was the first developer to ask for a NJ-made daughter craft to shuttle offshore workers to and from the project site at sea. Community Offshore Wind is dedicated to working with WBEs like Yank Marine and utilizing a Jones Act-compliant vessel for their project. The NJ BPU needs to select developers who are serious about keeping the offshore wind supply chain local and we look forward to our partnership with Community Offshore Wind.”

Cortney Koenig Worrall, President & CEO of the Waterfront Alliance: “Sustained investment in the New York and New Jersey waterfronts is critical to supporting the economies of local communities, protecting natural marine habitats, and improving quality of life for local residents, and Community Offshore Wind’s commitment to our shared vision is second to none. If Community Offshore Wind’s proposal is selected, we will work together to revitalize long-overlooked sites, creating accessible, local recreational opportunities while simultaneously helping to create a healthier, more resilient waterfront that will protect shoreline communities from worsening severe weather and rising water levels.”

Stephen M. Zemaitatis Jr., President and CEO of Riggs Distler: “We are excited to expand our partnership with Community Offshore Wind from New York into New Jersey, in close proximity to the Wind Port. Working together, we will localize offshore wind manufacturing in NJ through steel fabrication and bring new jobs to the area. We are partnering with Community Offshore Wind to create an efficient, innovative offshore wind supply chain, but also to bring long-term prosperity to local communities."

Lee Laurendeau, CEO of EEW-AOS: “We are excited that Community Offshore Wind has shown strong interest to support EEW AOS’s Phase 3 of the Paulsboro monopile facility. This will create additional jobs and opportunity beyond our current offshore wind commitments with other developers. We look forward to taking next steps together to expand manufacturing in New Jersey.” 

Duncan Turner, General Partner of SOSV, Managing Director of HAX: “SOSV’s HAX strategic partnership with Community Offshore Wind will accelerate innovation in the booming clean-energy sector where there is plenty of room for new technology to scale this vital part of the new energy infrastructure. We are looking to source and invest in startups dedicated to achieving decarbonization and fostering economic development in the New Jersey region. We are proud to collaborate with Community Offshore Wind and anticipate the rapid growth and success of the startups that emerge from this initiative.”

Rev. H. William Rutherford III, Pastor, Ebenezer Baptist Church: "As a clergy member, I appreciate Community Offshore Wind’s willingness to listen to the needs of our congregants and community to ensure their projects are equitable. By addressing some of our most pressing needs, specifically workforce development and fair access to clean energy, Community Offshore Wind can be a welcome, valued, and contributing partner in New Jersey."

Glen Donelson, President and CEO of the Mid-Atlantic State Career and Education Center: “The Community Offshore Wind team continues to demonstrate their commitment to New Jersey communities on a daily basis by engaging with the people that live here to gain a better understanding of what resources they need most. Working together, we’ve crafted a transportation program that will ensure equitable access to jobs in the clean energy industry for thousands of residents in overburdened communities. Transportation is one of the most significant barriers to accessing new job opportunities for people that live in the area. As a trusted local partner, we strongly support Community Offshore Wind’s proposal, and encourage the state to select their project to open up economic opportunity to communities across New Jersey.”