Two companies win shares of 343,833 acres off the New Jersey coast to develop commercial wind energy projects.

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The U.S. Department of the Interior alloted 183,353 acres to Baltimore-based US Wind, Inc., and 160,480 acres to RES Americas, according to information from the office of shore Representative Frank Pallone (D-6). The tracts begin seven miles offshore.

US Wind, according to its web site, is a subsidiary of Renexia, an Italian company that specializes in renewable energy. Prior to the Monday approval, the company won a competitive bid to build wind turbines off the Maryland coast in 2014.

RES Americas's web page lists headquarters in Minnesota, Colorado, Texas, Chile and Canada, with about 160 renewable-energy products in its list of accomplishments since 1999.

Citing data from the U.S. Department of Energy, Pallone estimates that the combined projects could deliver power to run about 1.2 million homes.

In prepared comments. Pallone said that the leases place the Department of the Interior on track for environmentally sound harnessing of offshore natural resources.

"These projects, which are the future of energy policy in our country, will cut carbon pollution, develop domestic clean energy, and create American jobs. I am so pleased to see New Jersey leading the way in building a more sustainable energy industry right here at home."

Pallone will take your calls during WOBM-AM's Ask The Congressman, Monday, November 23, 7 - 8 PM.

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