Although it will be quite some time before the process is complete, Atlantic Wind Connection is in the early stages of completing a project that would set up an offshore wind system that would provide wind energy for residents at a cheaper cost while creating jobs in the state.

Thus far, Atlantic Wind has held two informational sessions, including one last week at the Seaview Dolce Resort in Galloway Township. The other was held in Cape May County, and two more are scheduled for Ocean County (July 22) and Monmouth County (July 30).

“These discussions have been an invaluable way for us to introduce the backbone transmission line project in an informal setting that has allowed for expansive dialogue from attendees,” Atlantic Wind Connection CEO Robert Mitchell said. “This educational process is important for us to undertake in order to learn of the local interest in offshore wind and explain how the Atlantic Wind Connection will provide the foundation, the inter-state highway for offshore wind that will enable the new industry to create thousands of jobs for New Jersey.”

The Seaview hosted the presentation in the Harding Room, and was attended by: Frank Formica, Freeholder Director, Atlantic County Board of Freeholders; Richard Dovey, President, Atlantic County Utilities Authority; and Scott Winter, President and Business Manager of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 25, Marine Division and Vice President of the Maritimes Trade Department. Rhonda Jackson represented wind developer interest. Jackson is responsible for Fishermen’s Energy communication and outreach.

Richard Stockton College of New Jersey professor Dennis Weis, of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, was in attendance representing the school.

"It was a good presentation, and it was logical," said Weis, who was only able to attend part of the presentation due to other commitments. "They didn't discuss the pluses and minuses of wind energy; that was a given. Instead, they discussed how to get energy from 12-15 miles (offshore) on to land and onto a grid where it could be made available for everyone.

"It's similar to how energy is currently distributed onto land. A company like Atlantic City Electric used to produce and distribute energy, but now, they just distribute it. That's what this is."

The plan calls for the development of a 350-mile project over a 10-year period. The project proposes over 12,000 megawatts of wind capacity, and Mitchell said he believes the result could be 30-40,000 new jobs in the state.

He said the system would cost $30 billion to set up, but the benefits would come to a total of $43 billion, meaning $13 billion of benefits once the project is paid off.

“We want to convince manufacturers that are now in Europe to come to the United States,” Mitchell said.

He said more wind farms need to be created before that becomes a possibility, and setting up a network of offshore windmills in the area is a step in that direction.

Atlantic Wind Connection will make it possible to connect power generated from offshore wind farms directly to the power grid.

The line would run 12-15 miles offshore. Mitchell said several square miles could provide several thousand megawatts of wind energy. He said 3,000 megawatts would power five million homes.

Atlantic Wind has identified the best wind zones off the coast of New Jersey and identified them with four blue boxes, illustrated in the attached PDF file. Twelve miles have been set aside for development.

According to a press release from Atlantic Wind, offshore Wind is a major component of the Energy Master Plan unveiled earlier this month by Gov. Chris Christie.

“Gov. Christie is an enthusiastic supporter,” Mitchell said. “His administration provides incentives for offshore wind. … This is not a partisan issue. It’s not green energy vs. fossil fuels. We need energy from all sources.”