New Jersey has the chance to be the first state in the country to have an offshore wind energy program

Michele Siekerka, the DEP’s assistant commissioner for Economic Growth and Green Energy, spoke to a few dozen residents and stakeholders about offshore wind turbines and other green-energy initiatives.

Siekerka said an offshore wind farm program would create thousands of jobs for the state. “Building the jobs around the green-energy industry is so important. Our goal is to create the jobs to support that green-energy industry,” she said.

Siekerka said the DEP is looking to partner in sustainability with municipalities, and not act as a hindrance. One obstacle is funding, Siekerka said. The state is trying to move from grant programs to renewable-energy credit, a plan announced last month by Gov. Chris Christie.

This region is heavily involved in the state’s offshore wind energy initiatives, with a Cape May group, Fisherman’s Energy, looking to build six wind turbines off Atlantic City’s coast. The meeting served as a preview for today’s Barnegat Bay Day and Go Green Expo, a free, family-oriented event involving hands-on activities and discussions about energy conservation.

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