New Jersey’s Offshore Wind Farm Dreams on Hold for Now, As Blade Shortage Plagues Murphy’s Plan-Greenearth

If you thought getting dinner reservations in NYC was hard, imagine trying to source giant wind turbine blades! That’s the dilemma currently unfolding in New Jersey’s ambitious offshore wind energy project. Governor Phil Murphy has big dreams of transforming New Jersey into a clean energy powerhouse, but the latest hiccup in the plan involves something pretty crucial: no one can seem to find the blades!

Yup, that’s right—turbine blades. These things are basically the arms that make wind turbines spin, generating the electricity that will (hopefully) power up to a million homes. But now, a leading developer, Leading Light Wind, has hit pause while it scrambles to find a manufacturer who can get them those much-needed blades. Sounds like a minor detail, but it’s kinda a big deal.

Who’s Behind the Project?

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities gave the green light for this offshore wind project in January. It’s a joint effort between Invenergy and energyRE, companies that are supposed to turn Phil Murphy’s dreams of wind energy into a reality. The plan was to install 100 turbines about 40 miles off the coast of Long Beach Island. But there’s been a revolving door of potential turbine manufacturers, and none of them have stuck.

At first, it looked like GE Vernova might save the day, but they pulled out before even announcing the kind of turbine they’d provide. Then, another manufacturer, Vestas, was told their turbines weren’t suitable for the project. Talk about ghosting! Finally, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy came in with an offer—only to raise prices by so much that it became a non-starter.

Now, the project’s kinda like a high school dance: everyone’s dressed up and ready to go, but there’s no music. Without a turbine supplier, the wind farm can’t exactly get off the ground (or sea, in this case).

Why the Delay?

According to Invenergy, the pause, which lasts until December 20, is supposed to buy them some time to “continue discussions” with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and their supply chain partners. It’s not the first time the project has been delayed, either. And while Gov. Murphy is 100% on board with offshore wind energy, the reality of getting everything in place—especially those mega-expensive, hard-to-source turbines—is proving tricky.

Christine Guhl-Sadovy, president of the utilities board, is taking the optimistic route. She’s hoping this delay will help Invenergy line up the right turbine supplier so the project can move forward and help grow the state’s clean energy workforce.

Wind Energy or Hot Air?

For all its promise, New Jersey’s offshore wind projects have been plagued with setbacks. Between construction delays, financial concerns, and now supply chain problems, it’s starting to feel like that friend who promises they’re “five minutes away” but hasn’t even left the house yet.

The state has already pumped billions into the infrastructure needed to support these projects—ports, supply chains, and everything else that goes into building a massive offshore wind farm. Yet, despite the investment, they still can’t quite get the turbines in place.

As New Jersey keeps pushing forward with its renewable energy goals, one thing’s clear: the wind might be blowing, but the project is standing still for now. Whether this pause will be the final speed bump or just the latest in a series of roadblocks is yet to be seen.

Stay tuned, because the winds of change are… still on hold.

CLEARWATER, FL — In a remarkable display of bravery and precision, the US Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater rescued a man and his dog on Thursday. Their 36-foot sailboat became disabled and began taking on water about 25 miles off Sanibel Island, as Hurricane Helene unleashed its fury on the region.

Hurricane Helene has been a formidable force, affecting large areas of Florida with high winds and heavy rainfall. The storm has caused significant flooding and power outages, prompting evacuations in several coastal communities. As Helene continues to move across the state, emergency services remain on high alert, and the Coast Guard has been pivotal in responding to distress calls from residents and mariners alike.

The Coast Guard has reported an increased number of rescue operations since Helene made landfall. These missions include airlifts, boat rescues, and emergency response coordination with other federal and local agencies. The service’s readiness and rapid response capabilities have been crucial in mitigating the impact of the hurricane on affected communities.

Officials continue to urge the public to heed safety advisories and avoid water-related activities until conditions improve. The Coast Guard emphasizes the importance of using VHF Channel 16 for maritime emergencies and contacting 911 for urgent needs during the storm.

As Florida grapples with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the Coast Guard remains a critical lifeline for those caught in dangerous conditions, demonstrating once again their commitment to safeguarding lives in times of disaster.

Today in New Jersey, expect a gray, overcast day with occasional showers possible, especially later in the afternoon after 5 p.m. The morning will start off with areas of fog that may linger until around 11 a.m., and then redevelop briefly in the late afternoon. Temperatures will reach a mild high near 73°F, with a light east wind at 5 to 10 mph. While there is a 40% chance of precipitation, any rainfall during the day should be light, likely less than a tenth of an inch.

As we move into tonight, the chance of showers increases, with showers becoming more likely after 11 p.m. Patchy fog will return, adding to the cloudy, damp atmosphere. The low will settle around 66°F, with the east wind continuing at 5 to 10 mph. You can expect between a tenth and a quarter of an inch of rain overnight.

Saturday will maintain the cloudy skies with showers likely, particularly before 2 p.m. The temperature will be slightly cooler, with a high near 71°F and an east wind around 10 mph. Like tonight, rain accumulation could be up to a quarter of an inch. Saturday night will remain cloudy, with a slight chance of lingering showers and a low near 62°F. Winds will be steady from the east at around 10 mph, gusting up to 20 mph, though any additional rainfall will likely be minimal.

Sunday will see a slight break in the rain, although showers are still possible in the afternoon after 2 p.m. It will be mostly cloudy with a high near 69°F and a steady east wind at 10 mph. Rain chances drop to about 30%, and if any rain falls, it will likely be light. Sunday night continues this pattern with more clouds and a 40% chance of showers as the low dips to around 61°F.

The beginning of the workweek looks quite similar, with Monday seeing mostly cloudy skies and a high near 70°F, along with a 40% chance of showers in the afternoon. The pattern of cloudy skies and periodic showers continues into Monday night, with showers becoming likely after 2 a.m. and a low around 59°F.

Looking ahead to Tuesday, the weather stays consistent, with showers likely throughout the day and a high near 68°F. Showers may taper off by Tuesday night, but clouds will persist with a low near 58°F. From Wednesday onward, there will still be chances of rain, though these will be lower, with partly sunny skies and highs hovering around 70°F. By Thursday, we may finally see the return of the sun, with a pleasant, sunny day and a high near 70°F.

Compared to typical late September or early October weather in New Jersey, which usually features mild, crisp days and lower humidity, the next few days are unusually wet and cloudy. Temperatures, however, are fairly consistent with seasonal norms, remaining in the upper 60s to low 70s, which is typical for this time of year. The persistent cloud cover and rain showers will make it feel a bit more like a damp, early fall transition.