Donald J. Trump signled out Congressman Jeff Van Drew (R, NJ-02) for his leading role in opposing Orsted’s offshore wind farm development projects which were formally scrapped on Halloween.
“Congratulations to a truly great patriot, Jeff Van Drew, for his perseverance and success in defeating the horrendous Orsted Ocean Wind One & Two projects, which were to be built off of the coast of South Jersey,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
Trump added that the turbines were a “monstrosity” which didn’t work and were only possible with “massive government subsidies.” The New Jersey legislature had voted to give Orsted a $1 billion tax incentive bailout in addition to other public investments in the wind industry.
Van Drew had helmed hearings on offshore wind development and its impact on the Jersey Shore environment and local economy. He also rallied opposition; the coast is dotted with Van Drew lawn signs urging residents to oppose offshore wind.
Van Drew issued his own statement celebrating the news.
“These Green New Deal style wind farms were bad for our economy, our environment, and would have been a complete disaster for hardworking middle-class families in South Jersey,” said Congressman Van Drew. “From the beginning, these projects were all about lining the pockets of foreign-owned offshore wind companies. Orsted repeatedly asked for additional taxpayer funds and tax breaks, while expecting ratepayers to absorb a massive increase in utility costs. Orsted’s offshore wind projects could not have been stopped without the help of Cape May County, Judge Donohue, all of the fantastic grassroots efforts that sprung up along the way, and most importantly the people of South Jersey.”
“While we welcome this news, we must continue to build on this momentum and see to it that the remaining projects off the coast of New Jersey meet the same fate,” Van Drew added.
