New Jersey may put turbines on piers

New Jersey Pier Wind Turbines could power amusement piers, as legislation eases coastal regulations; renewable energy advocates cite clean power, Atlantic City's Steel Pier, and offshore wind farms while addressing migratory bird impacts.

One New Jersey lawmaker wants to add a new attraction to amusement parks along the Jersey shore: wind turbines.

State Sen. Jeff Van Drew is pushing to change state regulations to allow the construction of power-generating wind turbines on amusement piers.

The Cape May Democrat has introduced legislation that would change coastal regulations that now prohibit energy facilities within 500 feet of the high tide line.

Van Drew says the restrictions are outdated, and that easing rules on environmentally friendly sources of power makes economic sense, aligning with New Jersey power goals for 2020 set by Gov. Corzine.

"Every time we put a wind turbine in, or a solar panel field, we're relying on Mideast oil that much less," he said.

The idea has support from some environmental groups, including those behind a buoy for an offshore wind project and the president of Steel Pier in Atlantic City, who is lobbying to build five wind turbines to power all the pier's attractions.

David Pringle of the New Jersey Environmental Federation says despite concerns over the impact of wind turbines on migratory birds, the structures are less invasive than large housing developments, casinos or other structures built on piers. Pringle says current restrictions on clean energy are too stringent, citing delays in offshore wind projects as evidence.

"They (state government) hold clean renewables like wind energy to a higher standard than the Borgata (casino) or a large housing development," he said. "That doesn't pass the straight-face test."

The proposal comes as New Jersey, which already uses windmill power in parts of Atlantic City and elsewhere, is attempting to become a leader in offshore wind projects statewide.

There's a plan to build a $1 billion wind farm in the Atlantic Ocean about 16 miles southeast of Atlantic City. And the federal government awarded leases for wind studies to four companies to start exploring whether wind off the coast of New Jersey and Delaware can be harnessed to make electricity.

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