Fisherman's Energy’s project is expected to be situated 4.5 kilometres east of Atlantic City in state waters and consist of six turbines. If approved it could become the first grid-connected offshore project in the US.
FACW must submit an initial brief with the utilities board by today. Interested parties have until 4 December to reply, and FACW then has until 13 December to respond. A hearing will be held on 19 and 20 December.
In July, Fisherman's Energy suffered a setback after its plans were rejected by the Public Utilities Commission on the grounds the state would be liable for up to $19.2 million if project funding through federal grants fell through. The total cost of the project would be $200 million.
In 2011, Fisherman's Energy, which is backed by commercial fishing firms, applied to the Board of Public Utilities for approval.
The second phase of the New Jersey project, planned to follow the demonstration phase, would be seven miles off the coast and have 66 turbines with a capacity of about 330MW.
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