S6E662: Executive Order 307 is a Real Issue

Executive Order 307, signed by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy in September 2022, increased the state’s offshore wind energy goal from 7,500 megawatts (MW) by 2035 to 11,000 MW by 2040. The order also directs the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to study the feasibility of further increasing this target. It’s part of Murphy’s broader push for a 100% clean energy economy by 2035, emphasizing renewable energy development, particularly offshore wind, to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Concerns and Criticisms:

Some residents and critics, as reflected in posts on X, argue that this ambitious expansion of offshore wind projects could pose problems for East Coast communities, including New Jersey. Key concerns include:

Environmental Impact: Critics claim offshore wind farms may disrupt marine ecosystems, particularly affecting marine life like whales and fish due to construction noise, electromagnetic fields, and changes to ocean habitats. There’s also concern about the visual impact on coastal landscapes, which could affect tourism—a significant economic driver for New Jersey’s shore communities, contributing $44 billion annually.

Trump’s public statements reflect his long-standing opposition to wind energy. He has called wind turbines “big, ugly windmills” that “ruin neighborhoods,” are unreliable, and harm wildlife, while promoting fossil fuels as cheaper and more reliable. On January 20, 2025, at a rally, he reiterated, “We’re not going to do the wind thing,” and previously stated on Truth Social that windmills are an “economic and environmental disaster.”