The Cape May County political organization says it will oppose attempts to revive Ocean Wind-style development along the Jersey Shore.
LOWER TOWNSHIP, N.J. — Lower Township Republicans are renewing their opposition to offshore wind development, declaring that the organization will fight any future project proposed near Cape May County or elsewhere along the Jersey Shore.
The organization issued the statement amid continuing political debate over New Jersey’s energy policies and the future of offshore wind after the cancellation of Ørsted’s Ocean Wind 1 and Ocean Wind 2 projects.
Local Republicans Point to Coastal Concerns
Lower Township GOP President Jeffrey Lindsay said the municipality’s Republican leadership remains unified against offshore wind projects it believes could affect tourism, commercial fishing, aquaculture and marine wildlife.
“Universally, our elected leadership in Lower Township has opposed these projects, which Trenton tried to shove down our throats,” Lindsay said. “A lie does not become truth simply because Trenton decides to call it truth.”
Lindsay credited Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew, New Jersey’s 1st Legislative District delegation, the Cape May County Board of Commissioners and attorney Michael Donohue for their opposition to previous wind proposals.
“Offshore wind remains a bad policy for Cape May County on multiple levels,” Lindsay said. “We vow to continue working with them as a unified team against any project that mirrors Ørsted’s Ocean Wind.”
The organization also accused New Jersey Democrats of preparing to pursue offshore wind development after President Donald Trump leaves office. Its statement cited recent media reporting about support for future development among Democratic members of Congress but did not identify a pending project proposed for Lower Township.
No response from state or congressional Democrats was included in the Republican organization’s release.
Why Ørsted Abandoned Ocean Wind
Ørsted ended development of Ocean Wind 1 and Ocean Wind 2 in October 2023. In its official announcement explaining the decision, the Danish energy company cited supplier delays, rising interest rates, tax-credit uncertainty and a deteriorating business case.
The company’s explanation did not attribute the cancellation to opposition from Cape May County officials or concerns about marine wildlife.
Ocean Wind 1 was planned as a 1,100-megawatt project, while Ocean Wind 2 was approved for approximately 1,148 megawatts. State regulators later vacated the project approvals and related orders after development stopped.
The projects remain a major dividing line in New Jersey politics, particularly in coastal communities where residents and officials have debated potential economic, environmental and visual effects.
Republicans Renew Criticism of $125 Million Settlement
Lower Township Republicans also criticized the financial settlement reached after Ørsted abandoned the projects.
New Jersey officials previously discussed protections worth up to $300 million if the projects failed to proceed. The state ultimately reached a $125 million settlement with Ørsted in 2024, a result that former New Jersey Sierra Club Director Jeff Tittel criticized at the time.
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities’ subsequent order records that the state and Ørsted entered a settlement agreement on May 25, 2024, resolving claims related to the canceled projects and clearing the way for the previous approvals to be vacated.
Shore News Network previously reported on the $125 million settlement and the disputed $175 million difference.
Councilman Links Debate to Affordability
Lower Township Councilman Roland Roy, who represents the oceanfront Diamond Beach community, argued that offshore wind subsidies conflict with residents’ concerns about affordability.
“New Jersey provided substantial financial incentives and support for companies like Ørsted, only to ultimately recover $125 million after pursuing $300 million in commitments,” Roy said.
Roy blamed Democratic energy policies for contributing to the state’s affordability problems. That assertion reflects the councilman’s political position; the statement did not include an independent analysis directly linking offshore wind policy to household costs.
“Our residents want policies that control costs and make life more affordable—not policies that subsidize foreign companies while putting our economy, fisheries and coastal communities at risk,” Roy said.
Offshore Wind Fight Remains Active in Cape May County
The latest declaration signals that offshore wind will remain a central energy and environmental issue in Cape May County despite the collapse of the Ocean Wind projects.
The debate also continues to leave a financial footprint. Shore News Network recently reported that Cape May accepted a $500,000 coastal resiliency grant from a private trust originally funded through Ørsted’s New Jersey commitments.
