Federal Agency to Hold Public Workshop on Renewable Energy Development

For Immediate Release
Contact: Jeff Tittel August 19, 2008 (609) 558-9100

Federal Agency to Hold Public Workshop on Renewable Energy Development

West Long Branch, NJ - Tomorrow the Minerals Management Service (MMS) will hold a public workshop at Monmouth University addressing the proposed rules for development of alternative energy resources - including offshore wind, wave, and ocean current generation - on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). "As a coastal state, New Jersey has a particularly strong interest in the development of these emerging renewable energy technologies," said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. "Not only are we at the greatest risk from sea level rise and severe weather, we also have a lot to gain from investing in green industries like these and bringing green jobs to New Jersey."

"As with all energy sources," he continued, "the details are important. These technologies need to be developed rapidly while also paying appropriate attention to how and where these installations are built. If sited properly, however, offshore, wind, wave, and ocean current have the potential to deliver the energy we need without harming the environment."

The workshop will take place in Young Auditorium, Bey Hall, from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.

As a coastal state, New Jersey will be among the first to be impacted by the effects of global warming, including rising sea levels that will threaten our $34 billion a year coastal tourism industry, increasingly severe cycles of flooding and drought, and a growing population of harmful insects, accompanied by a rise in the incidence of insect-borne diseases. Scientific consensus has estimated that we have less than ten years to deal with global warming if we are to avoid its worst effects.

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Becca Glenn, Program Assistant New Jersey Sierra Club

145 W. Hanover Street Trenton, NJ 08618

609-656-7612: phone

609-656-7618: fax

• Download full text: MMS_Alt_Energy_Rules_8_19_08.doc