On September 21, 2022, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 307, increasing New Jersey’s offshore wind goal by nearly 50 percent to 11,000 megawatts (MW) by 2040. The Executive Order increases the state’s current goal of 7,500 MW and also directs the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to study the feasibility of increasing the target further.
In February 2021, Governor Murphy announced the creation of The New Jersey Council on the Green Economy. This Council was tasked with delivering a report defining the pathways for green job creations, development of workforce capacity and for innovation.
Governor Murphy also announced the release of the Green Jobs for a Sustainable Future report dated September 2022, created by the New Jersey Council on the Green Economy in partnership with the Governor’s Office of Climate Action and the Green Economy. The report outlines recommendations for growing an inclusive green workforce as New Jersey pursues its clean energy future.
This report finds that currently New Jersey’s green economy primarily consists of environmental infrastructure and energy efficiency jobs. Currently, total environmental infrastructure sector accounts for 35,700 jobs (ranked #14 nationally), which grew by about 5% from 2016 to 2019. The energy efficiency sector employs 32,900 jobs (rank #23 nationally), which grew by about 20% from 2016 to 2019. New Jersey ranks #15 nationally in renewable energy and fuel jobs, which accounts for about 15,000 jobs. This report forecasts adding 314,888 (net) new jobs over the next 10 years due to the green polices and New Jersey’s investments in clean energy. This report forecasts a net increase of 95,313 jobs in the Offshore Wind sector and 86,746 net increase in jobs for the Solar sector for the period between 2019 and 2031. New Jersey has the opportunity to make future green jobs growth a driving force for its economy.
Over the next twelve months, the New Jersey Office of Climate Action and the Green Economy will coordinate and direct a four-part initiative designed to launch, establish and respond to this Council’s recommendations. I will be monitoring this development.
The Offshore Wind Workforce and Skills Development Grant Challenge is a competitive grant program that will award grants to launch or expand workforce development and skills training programs focused on strengthening and diversifying the New Jersey offshore wind workforce. A total of $3.725 million will be available through this program. Individual awards can range from $100,000 to a maximum of $1,000,000. Priority for grants will be given to applicants that propose initiatives supporting training and job access for residents of Overburdened Communities. Grants are available for programs that will aid in launching or expanding innovative workforce training and skills programs focused on strengthening and diversifying New Jersey’s offshore wind workforce.
The Grant Challenge will be open to entities that can design and execute workforce and skills training programs. Such entities may include, but are not limited to, community-based organizations, workforce training organizations, labor unions, workforce placement intermediaries, technical high schools, community colleges, universities, non-profits, regional workforce development boards, and private companies.
Please contact Capehart Scatchard Renewable Energy Department Chair Alan P. Fox, Esq. if you are seeking assistance with an application for the Grant Challenge.
