Hopes for New Jersey to be a national leader in offshore wind energy were dealt a setback when the state Board of Public Utilities rejected the financial plan of a 25-megawatt project proposed for a site three miles off the coast near Atlantic City.
James M. O’Neill reports on the latest setback for a project that would build a 25-megawatt wind farm three miles offshore from Atlantic City. New Jersey’s Board of Public Works unanimously rejected the financial plan for the project by Fishermen’s Energy, a Cape May-based group of commercial fishermen. The project’s financial plan “was based on an expectation of receiving about $100 million in federal grants and tax breaks. The group projected it could complete the project and recoup the cost of financing if it also received financial credits – called Offshore Wind Renewable Energy Certificates, or ORECs — from the state worth $199 for each megawatt hour of energy it produced.”
The board, however, “argued that without that $100 million, the project would need to receive ORECs from the state of $263 per megawatt hour to be viable.” At that price, “[the] project would therefore fail one of the basic tests for approval – providing net benefits to ratepayers.”
FULL STORY: N.J. rejects financial plan for offshore wind turbines

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network
The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

Chicago Approves Green Affordable Housing Plan
The Mayor’s plan calls for creating a nonprofit housing corporation tasked with building affordable housing that meets Green Building standards.

The World’s Longest Light Rail Line is in… Los Angeles?
In a city not known for its public transit, the 48.5-mile A Line is the longest of its kind on the planet.

Quantifying Social Infrastructure
New developments have clear rules for ensuring surrounding roads, water, and sewers can handle new users. Why not do the same for community amenities?

Dallas Code Reform Makes Way for Missing Middle Housing
The Dallas City Council voted to change the city’s building code to allow up to eight residential units in three-story buildings.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions