NJ wind project still blowing forward

Those scrappy New Jersey fishermen continue to charge right along with their wind project.

Last week, the state Board of Public Utilities adopted rules for renewable energy certificates, which are an important part of the financing for any project. Once a price for the certificates is established, then the developer of a wind project can zero in better on the financing needed.

All but immediately afterward, Fishermen's Energy of New Jersey filed a petition seeking approval for renewable energy certificates for its project, which would be located in state waters off of Atlantic City.

The company says that its wind farm "is on schedule to be the first grid-connected offshore wind project in the United States."

How so? For all those watching the Cape Wind project proceed off of Cape Cod, it may seem unlikely.

But I remember when Fishermen's Energy first came forward. All these big-name, well-connected energy companies were presenting plans, and more than a few eyebrows were raised when fishermen -- fishermen!! -- submitted a plan as well. They said that they wanted to expand their harvest from the ocean. They wanted not just fish, but wind.

Like others, they also are developing plans for an offshore project in federal waters, which is farther offshore. Meanwhile, they have zigged where others zagged and are also proposing a project for state waters.

The idea is that there would be fewer regulatory hoops to jump through, which would take less time overall.

To be located about 2.8 miles east of Atlantic City, the Fishermen's farm would be a mere six turbines with a capacity of 25 megawatts.

But if these fishermen pull off their plan, it just might be the first after all.