No New Offshore Wind Contracts for New Jersey

New Jersey officials on Monday said the state would not grant awards for new offshore wind contracts, a sign that U.S. President Donald Trump's order to review the federal offshore wind program is putting a chill on the industry.

The announcement by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities comes days after Shell backed out as a partner in the only project that had finalized a bid under the state's latest offshore wind procurement scheme.

In a statement, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities cited both Shell's withdrawal from the Atlantic Shores project and uncertainty regarding federal support for the industry.

"The Board concluded that an award in New Jersey's fourth offshore wind solicitation, despite the manifold benefits the industry offers to the state, would not be a responsible decision at this time," Christine Guhl-Sadovy, president of the BPU, said in the statement.

The announcement is the latest in a string of recent blows to the nascent U.S. offshore wind industry, which has struggled with soaring costs, canceled projects and a high-profile construction accident.

Trump has cast doubt on the industry's future after he suspended new federal offshore wind leasing pending an environmental and economic review, saying wind turbines are