Trenton, NJ-- David Pringle, the Campaign Director for the NJ Environmental Federation, released the following statement in response to the NJ Department of Environmental Protection's offshore wind meeting and report release this afternoon:

"This is an important step in transforming New Jersey's economy into a 21st century clean energy-driven green engine. This top notch report provides the scientific baseline needed to advance offshore wind and thereby effectively combat climate change, create jobs, grow the economy and protect public health.

"While we always need to know more, we're pleased DEP is remains committed to that while demonstrating a new attitude after years of delay under prior Administrations. Commissioner Martin is advancing the right questions. It's no longer if we should do offshore wind but how.

"By accelerating development of this critical renewable resource, we can maximize environmental and economic benefits from manufacturing, construction and production to offsetting dangerous and dirty alternatives like oil drilling in the Gulf or off the Jersey Shore, powerlines through the NJ Highlands, the Oyster Creek nuke plant, and coal plants from the re-opening of BL England in Ocean City to PurGen's proposal in Linden.

"We can choose clean renewables or alternatives that are literally killing people, destroying communities and the environment, and damaging the economy from the Gulf States, Appalachia, and New Jersey to the Middle East. For us, it's a no brainer!"

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