Pallone Applauds Successful Interior Department Lease Sale for Wind Energy Development Off of New Jersey Coast

WASHINGTON, D.C. – November 10, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, applauded the Department of the Interior’s announcement that it has awarded two leases for commercial wind energy development of 343,833 acres off of the New Jersey coast.

“By awarding the leases through a successful and competitive lease sale, the Department of the Interior is on track to put this vast swath of offshore acreage to work in a safe and environmentally sound manner,” said Congressman Pallone. “These projects, which are the future of energy policy in our country, will cut carbon pollution, develop domestic clean energy, and create American jobs. I am so pleased to see New Jersey leading the way in building a more sustainable energy industry right here at home.”

The New Jersey Wind Energy Area’s 343,833 offshore acres has the potential to support at least 3,400 megawatts of commercial wind energy generation. According to the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, this could power an estimated 1.2 million homes. The development area starts about seven nautical miles from shore. A map can be viewed HERE.

RES Americas, the company that won the southern lease, will have the rights to develop 160,480 acres, and US Wind Inc., which won the northern lease, will have the rights to develop 183,353 acres.