The Department of the Interior announced its approval of the Atlantic Shores South offshore wind energy project, marking the ninth commercial-scale offshore wind energy project approved under President Biden's administration. With this approval, the Department has sanctioned over 13 gigawatts of clean energy from offshore wind projects, sufficient to power nearly five million homes.

"The Biden-Harris administration is building momentum every day for our clean energy future, and today’s milestone is yet another step toward our ambitious goal of deploying 30 gigawatts of offshore energy by 2030," said Secretary Deb Haaland. "Our clean energy future is now a reality – thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America agenda we are addressing climate change, fostering job growth, and promoting equitable economic opportunities for all communities."

"Under President Biden’s leadership, this Administration is building a bright future for American offshore wind, going from zero gigawatts of commercial-scale projects approved to more than 13 gigawatts in the last three years – a surge of progress that means good-paying jobs for thousands of workers and clean energy for millions of homes," stated President Biden’s National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi. "Today’s approval of an offshore wind project that has a labor agreement with six New Jersey unions reflects the win-win opportunities that we are seizing to benefit local workers and communities. The Biden-Harris administration will continue to use every available tool to grow the American offshore wind industry as we strengthen the nation’s power grid and tackle the climate crisis."

Bidenomics and the President’s Investing in America agenda aim to grow the American economy from the middle out and bottom up. This includes rebuilding national infrastructure, driving over half a trillion dollars in new private sector manufacturing and clean energy investments in the United States, creating good-paying jobs, and building a clean energy economy that will combat climate change and enhance community resilience.

"Today’s approval of the Atlantic Shores South Wind project follows an intentional collaborative process,” said Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Director Elizabeth Klein. “At BOEM, our dedication to engaging with Tribal Nations, states, other government agencies, industry, environmental organizations, and ocean users remains paramount, ensuring responsible energy development while addressing community concerns and safeguarding our marine ecosystems."

Since the start of the Biden-Harris administration, BOEM has held four offshore wind energy lease sales in areas including New York, New Jersey, the Carolinas, and initiated first-ever sales off the Pacific and Gulf of Mexico coasts. The Department recently announced plans for up to 12 additional lease sales through 2028.

The Atlantic Shores South wind project comprises two facilities — Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 1 and 2 — along with associated export cables expected to generate up to 2,800 megawatts of electricity. This capacity can power nearly one million homes with renewable energy. Located approximately 8.7 miles off New Jersey's coast at its nearest point, Atlantic Shores South proposed up to 200 total wind turbine generators and up to ten offshore substations with subsea transmission cables potentially making landfall in Atlantic City and Sea Girt. BOEM approved construction for up to 195 wind turbine generators.

On May 23, 2024, BOEM released the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed project which analyzed potential environmental impacts from construction activities outlined in its plan. During public comment periods on draft EIS documents four public meetings were held alongside nation-to-nation consultations gathering feedback from Tribes among others; measures identified aimed at avoiding or mitigating visual impacts on marine life alongside existing ocean uses like fishing were incorporated into terms & conditions attached within Record Of Decision approving construction/operations plans related towards these efforts

The "Notice Of Availability Joint Record Decision Proposed Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind South Project" will be published soon within Federal Register; further details regarding this initiative can be accessed via BOEM's website.

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