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K i am not trying to give an excuse but my dad just pasted away from pacriatic cancer and my teacher wants this summary in so if someone can summarize this article to the best of there abiiltiesi really appreciate it
Long known for its coal-burning power plants and oil refineries, New Jersey is about to take a major step toward clean energy with offshore wind turbines that would generate enough electricity to power half of the houses in North Jersey.
A pilot project to install dozens of turbines off the coast is scheduled to be approved next week and will act as a cornerstone in Governor Corzine’s push for renewable energy.
Five companies have submitted proposals for a $19 million Board of Public Utilities grant that state officials say will boost the project. Plans range from 74 towering wind turbines a few miles off the coast of Atlantic City to 225 smaller ones off Seaside Park.
The 350 megawatts generated in this first wave will not make a huge dent in the amount of coal, natural gas or nuclear energy used to generate the almost 20,000 megawatts needed in New Jersey. But advocates hope this wind farm will lead to more.
“We need a new way to generate power, and offshore wind is essential to our future energy demands,” said Jeanne Fox, the BPU president.
The decision, expected on Oct. 3, could make New Jersey the first state to have an offshore wind farm, although Delaware officials approved a plan this summer.
Land-based wind turbines have been providing electricity everywhere from Atlantic City to West Texas in recent years. But even though the wind is strongest at sea, offshore wind farms have never been built in the U.S., largely because of the enormous construction costs, environmental concerns, and community objections that a 250-foot turbine would mar picturesque seaside views.
That is changing after the success of offshore wind farms in Europe that have shown minimal environmental impact. Some are built far enough off the coast that they are barely seen.
1,000 megawatts
Corzine wants more than just a pilot program. The proposed state Energy Master Plan calls for 1,000 megawatts to be generated by offshore wind. That may be increased to 3,000 when the plan is adopted this fall.
Environmentalists have long supported wind power, but they do have concerns. Some believe the construction will disrupt life on the ocean floor. There is fear that the 100- to 150-foot blades will chop up birds.
Another concern is how much this will eventually affect a consumer’s electric bill.
Constructing offshore turbines is expensive. One applicant, Garden State Offshore Energy, said it would cost about $1.1 billion to build its planned 96 turbines 16 to 21 miles off the coast of Atlantic City. In the long run, however, it may be less expensive than fossil fuels since wind is free and there is no need for expensive air filtering equipment like those required at coal plants.
“Whether wind will be more costly than other forms, we don’t know,” said Stefanie Brand, director of the state Division of Rate Counsel, which advocates on behalf of consumers. “Constructing a new generation of power sources is expensive. We want them to be as economical as they can be.”
Electricity from the turbines will flow from underwater cables to power stations onshore, where it will enter the power grid. If the turbines are built off Atlantic City, much of the power generated will be drawn into South Jersey. But more turbines would mean wind energy would eventually make it to North Jersey. Onshore wind farms located in sparsely populated areas in the U.S. have had trouble getting their power into the grid; that is not a problem in densely populated New Jersey.
Regulators and the applicants believe the BPU’s $19 million grant will fast track the project with permits needed from the state Department of Environmental Protection and the federal Minerals Management Service, which would lease portions of the ocean floor to builders.
“It’s very much a head start,” Fox said. “The permitting agencies should be more sensitive about moving this forward.”
Several plans are similar, but each applicant says they are the best for different reasons.
* Garden State Offshore Energy, a partnership of PSEG and Winergy Power LLC, said their technology allows them to build wind turbines farther offshore than their competitors. They also tout a plan to use wind turbines to store compressed air in tanks that could be used to generate electricity when there is no wind.
* Bluewater Wind, a Hoboken company, said its selection this summer to build Delaware’s first wind farm would allow it to develop in New Jersey at a lower cost.
* Fishermen’s Energy of New Jersey, a consortium of fishing companies in Cape May, said it would be the best steward of the oceans since its members know the Jersey coast better than anyone.
* Environmental Technologies of New York said its smaller vertical axis turbines will
Here it is: The governor of New Jersey wants to build a source of clean energy like wind generators to someday replace the coal and oil power plants that pollute the environment that may be responsible for many premature deaths of citizens like your Dad. Sorry for your loss. Hope this helps.
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