The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) recently received a notice of a $50 million funding award through the United States Department of Energy’s (USDOE) Transmission Siting and Economic Development (TSED) Grant Program. Upon NJEDA Board approval of the grant award, the NJEDA and its collaborators plan to fund a portfolio of initiatives that will prepare local residents for careers in the clean energy industry. It will also fund local projects designed to increase civic engagement, and further economic mobility in communities with new renewable transmission infrastructure.
“Offshore wind presents us with not only a pathway to a clean energy future but an opportunity to generate impactful economic growth and family-sustaining, union jobs,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Thanks to our partners at the U.S. Department of Energy, this critical funding puts us closer to realizing the offshore wind industry’s full potential for the benefit of all New Jerseyans.”
“Under Governor Murphy’s leadership, New Jersey is poised to capture the momentous opportunity presented by offshore wind by investing in projects and infrastructure that will contribute billions back to the state economy, grow our clean energy future, and better the environment for generations to come,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “Though the Transmission Siting and Economic Development Grants program, the NJEDA will fund locally-driven, high-impact, community projects that increase access to workforce training, connect residents with good-paying, family-sustaining careers, and improve quality-of-life.”
The NJEDA’s proposed initiatives will integrate community-driven decision making with capital improvements and foster equitable access to good-paying careers while prioritizing federally designated Disadvantaged Communities (DACs). Following NJEDA board approval and upon execution, the grant will support:
A Community Investment Fund to support capital projects identified and chosen by residents through Participatory Budgeting, a democratic process where residents propose, vote on, and lead spending decisions for community improvement projects in localities where new renewable transmission infrastructure is sited. At least 40 percent of the funds under this program will be targeted for DACs.
A new Transmission Trailblazers Training program in collaboration with Atlantic City Electric that will provide skills training to 200 individuals for entry-level jobs in transmission, with a target of 70 percent of enrollments from DACs.
An upskilling training program on High-Voltage Direct Current methods through the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Union 400. The program will be provided to 30 individuals, with a target of 40 percent of enrollments comprising workers from underrepresented communities or facing labor market displacement.
A Pre-Apprenticeship training program for electrical careers that supports entry into IBEW Local 400 and other electrical trade jobs, with a target of 40 percent of enrollments from DACs and underrepresented communities.
The development of a Transmission Corridor Bike Path that will utilize transmission rights-of-way and existing trail paths to create a larger interconnected trail system, bringing economic and quality-of-life benefits to New Jersey communities.
“The Transmission Siting and Economic Development Grant Program’s $50 million award will create numerous opportunities across New Jersey to stimulate the economy, help residents learn new skills through training programs, and enhance the quality of life in disadvantaged and vulnerable communities,” Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette said. “We are grateful to our partners at the U.S. Department of Energy for this funding, which will boost our green economy by creating good-paying clean energy sector jobs and enhancing community engagement statewide.”
“The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) thanks the Biden Administration for its continued support of the Garden State’s growing offshore wind industry, which remains pivotal to our achievement of 100% clean energy by 2035,” said NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy. “This significant funding will support union job training and spur economic opportunities in the local communities hosting critical transmission infrastructure projects across our state.”
“These programs are exactly the type of smart investments into our disadvantaged communities that the IBEW Local Union 400's Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee is proud to be a partner in,” said IBEW Local Union 400’s Director of Training Todd Larsen. “We can bring career opportunities to those who need it most, while building up our State infrastructure and doubling down on clean energy.”