Atlantic Shores South Wind Farm Gets Key Federal Approval

NEW JERSEY — A key federal approval was awarded to the Atlantic Shores South offshore wind project Tuesday, allowing the farm to move forward with construction.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced its approval of the Atlantic Shores South project plan to construct and operate two wind energy facilities, the final approval the project needed from BOEM following the Department of the Interior's July 2024 Record of Decision.

“The Biden-Harris administration is dedicated to advancing responsible offshore wind energy projects like Atlantic Shores South Wind, which will create good-paying jobs and drive economic growth, while combatting the climate crisis and making our communities more resilient,” said BOEM Director Elizabeth Klein. “I am proud to announce BOEM’s final approval of Atlantic Shores South Offshore Wind Projects 1 and 2, which have the potential to generate up to 2,800 megawatts of clean, renewable energy—enough to power nearly one million homes.”

Atlantic Shores South will put up to 195 turbines between Atlantic City and Long Beach Island. It would be about 8.7 miles from the coast at its closest point.

“Atlantic Shores is thrilled to receive approval to build our first two projects and deliver sufficient clean power to serve one third of New Jersey households,” said Atlantic Shores CEO Joris Veldhoven. “Securing these critical approvals enables New Jersey’s first offshore wind project to start construction next year and represents meaningful progress in New Jersey achieving 100% clean energy by 2035. We are grateful to the Biden-Harris administration, our agency partners at the U.S. Department of the Interior and BOEM, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, and all our federal and state agency partners who helped deliver this moment for Atlantic Shores.”

Atlantic Shores South 1 would be New Jersey's first offshore wind farm.

Prior to the approvals being issued, Save Long Beach Island, a local group of offshore wind opponents, notified BOEM and NOAA of its intent to sue under the Endangered Species Act and Outer Continental Shelf Act.

Save LBI said that constructing the turbines could negatively impact the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale.

“And this is just one of many problems that will be created by the Atlantic Shores South wind project, which, shockingly, has already received federal approval,” said Bob Stern, Save LBI president and co-founder.