March 7, 2024 — New Jersey citizens action groups Defend Brigantine Beach and Downbeach (DBB) and Protect Our Coast New Jersey (POCNJ) filed notices of appeal on Tuesday against the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) in the state Appellate Court.
The appeals challenge the legality of two recent NJBPU Orders granting Offshore Wind Renewable Energy Certificate (OREC) contracts to offshore wind project developers Attentive Energy LLC and Leading Light Wind LLC, according to a news release.
The contracts entitle Attentive Energy and Leading Light Wind to receive payments averaging more than 15 cents/kwh for 3742 MW of power over 20 years, compared with the 6 cents/kwh wholesale price of power available to state utilities.
The organizations supporting the appeal are represented by attorney Bruce I. Afran of Princeton.
The BPU has conducted its solicitations and award of contracts to offshore wind developers in secrecy with no opportunity for public involvement until they issue a final order. Even then the basis for its decision is hidden from public view with the most critical information redacted from the public record, the release says.