Murphy retrospective, Part II: All in on offshore wind

It’s hard to get two candidates for governor to agree on anything. But in the last election — the one held to determine who would succeed Gov. Phil Murphy — both eventual winner, Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill, and Jack Ciattarelli agreed Murphy deserved a large share of the blame for the rise in energy costs in the state.

And both candidates pointed to Murphy’s seemingly quixotic quest to develop an offshore wind industry as a big reason why.

Murphy, speaking with BINJE in a wrap-up interview about his time in office, vigorously defended his support for offshore wind. He said he’s pained that the federal government pulled the plug on projects — and that he feels the industry still has a place in a future New Jersey energy program.

Murphy said he stands behind a push that, at one time, had plans for turbines that would produce 11.5 gigawatts of clean energy, enough to power 1.5 million homes.

“I don’t regret any of that,” he said. “I just regret that it’s gone.”

Offshore wind projects in the state were eliminated when the Trump administration decided it would no longer support them with federal dollars. To be fair, the industry’s collapse came much sooner.

Supply-chain shortages during the pandemic, combined with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (which had all of Europe rethinking its energy policies and sources) also played a large part in the industry being unable to make it in the U.S.

Orsted, pulling out of the state in October of 2023, was the start of the industry’s collapse.

Critics will argue that New Jersey should have had a more diversified approach to energy needs — pointing to more natural gas and nuclear options, among others — as part of the overall plan.

Murphy pushed back on the narrative that the state shut down natural gas options, noting just last month it approved the 37-mile Northeast Supply Enhancement pipeline, which will help deliver fracked gas from Pennsylvania to the New York City area.

Murphy pushed back on the idea that the state should have pursued more nuclear initiatives, noting the Legislature had to approve subsidies for nuclear energy in 2019 just to keep the plants open.

More than anything, Murphy pushed back on those who say offshore wind is a bad idea.

“We are a light-supply state,” he said. “God gave us 140 miles of shore with a very favorable undersea shelf. We were maximizing the hand we’ve been dealt.

“I think it’s a huge mistake by the Trump administration to ice it — and I will to the day I die.”

Murphy, skipping over financial concerns — which includes the need for extensive subsidies — rattled off the reasons he feels offshore wind is a winner for New Jersey.

“It’s a big union spinner, providing thousands of jobs,” he said. “It would have powered a million and a half homes. It’s a huge game-changer for South Jersey.”

One without many alternatives.

Nuclear potential nuclear projects have come into fancy lately — though the reaction by people in an area where one actually is planned may be different.

And nuclear was not viewed favorably during the early days of the administration. In fact, the state’s nuclear facilities needed a $300 million subsidy in 2019 just to remain open.

The administration has supported solar. Its attempts to increase use of electricity, whether in an EV mandate or push for more heat pumps in homes and buildings, certainly met strong resistance.

That being said, administration officials also question a narrative that says companies were begging to build more natural gas plants — though there is no indication that such an effort was wanted or would have been welcomed.

Murphy said he’s sorry the energy issue has become more about party than policy.

“Put aside the politics,” he said. “Let’s look at the facts.”

Murphy challenged critics, including outspoken Representative Jeff Van Drew (R-2nd District).

“What’s your Plan B?” he asked. “Where are those trades jobs going to come from?”

Murphy said he feels his energy decisions were about what’s best for the state — pointing to the recent pipeline project that certainly did not sit well with progressive groups or his progressive bent.

“I think of myself as a proud progressive and a cold-blooded capitalist,” he said. “I want to do the right thing. Offshore wind checked all these boxes: Clean energy, union jobs, huge source of power. I’ll play that hand all day long.”

Murphy said he’s hoping a future governor will get that chance.

“I don’t think it’s forever dead,” he said. “I’m highly confident at some point in time this will come back.”