New Jersey Governor, Jon S. Corzine has signed three pieces of legislation that will help support both cogeneration projects, and the development of solar energy and wind energy installations. The Energy Master Plan (EMP) plans to reduce energy usage by 20% by 2020, using efficiency measures and our burgeoning clean-energy industry in New Jersey. The EMP also sets a goal of producing 30% of the State's energy from renewables, also by 2020.
Bill A1558/S2265 needs developers to offer solar energy systems in few new home constructions. It also provides that the Commissioner of Community Affairs, in consultation with the Board of Public Utilities, would be required to adopt standards on technical sufficiency of the solar energy systems to be installed. Bill A2550/S1299 permits the location of certain wind and solar facilities in industrial zones.
“The bills I am signing today will further our ongoing efforts to protect our environment, to combat global climate change, and make our state and nation less dependent on foreign energy sources,” Governor Corzine said. “A cleaner New Jersey means a better New Jersey and an even more attractive place for people to live, works, run a business, and raise a family.”
“As we look for ways to improve our economic stability in these trying fiscal times, we need to look at expanding New Jersey’s green economy, and creating more green-collar jobs in the Garden State,” said Senator Bob Smith (D-Middlesex). “We can advance economic growth and environmental preservation in one fell swoop, lowering people’s utility bills while putting more people to work building a renewable energy infrastructure. These bills reflect President Obama’s call for environmentally sustainable economic recovery, and move us down the field in expanding access to renewable energy for all New Jersey residents.”
“We must reduce our reliance on increasingly expensive fossil fuels by making use of renewable energy resources that can save consumers money and reduce the burden on our precious natural resources,” said Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Mercer). “By using solar energy for heat and electricity we can significantly decrease dangerous greenhouse gases emissions.”
“We can vastly improve the quality of life for all New Jersey families by encouraging investment in solar energy systems in all new houses,” said Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein (D-Middlesex/Mercer). “Sound public policy and environmentally responsible practices can come together to provide dividends for generations.”
“We need to stop looking at wind and solar power as novelties and start viewing them as a viable, home-grown energy industry that can create new jobs here in New Jersey,” said Assemblywoman Pamela R. Lampitt (D-Camden). “Actively promoting the expansion of alternative energy can be a win for communities, a win for the economy and a win for the environment.”
“This will help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and redevelop industrial zones struggling in this global economic recession,” said Assemblywoman Connie Wagner (D-Bergen). “It’s smart environmentally and fiscally.”
“New Jersey should be encouraging renewable energy as we look to position our state to emerge stronger from this global economic meltdown,” said Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen). “This helps do just that, and is a sound approach that will has the potential to benefit generations to come.”
“Many industrial areas need our help, and this is a sensible way to accomplish that while promoting renewable energy that is clearly the wave of the future,” said Assemblywoman Nellie Pou (D-Passaic). “This approach will create jobs, help us save money and set us up to thrive once this global meltdown is over.”
Bill A2507/S1932 authorizes the BPU to use Retail Margin Fund monies to provide grants for combined heat and power production, energy efficiency projects and programs promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency. This money will primarily be used to develop cogeneration facilities, and will provide a $450 rebate for every kilowatt of capacity installed.
“Clean, renewable energy and co-generation grants make New Jersey much more attractive to business investors and represent the future in environmentally-friendly energy production,” said Senator M. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex and Passaic). “Particularly as we work to encourage businesses to locate to the Garden State, these programs will reduce our carbon footprint and lower energy costs for consumers across the board. I applaud the Governor for working with us to promote energy alternatives and for making New Jersey a national leader in low-impact energy production which will revitalize our economy and preserve our natural resources for future generations.”
“This will help to drive down escalating energy bills burdening New Jersey ratepayers during the current economic crisis,” said Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula (D-Somerset). “Energy efficient appliances, newer equipment, technical audits and plant expansions will help to reduce energy consumption by commercial and industrial entities. These savings will translate into reduced energy bills for New Jersey consumers while furthering the Governor’s Energy Master Plan.”
Environmental quality and reducing the impact of greenhouse gasses has been an ongoing goal of the administration. The Governor also signed the Energy Savings Improvement Plan into law, making it easier for municipalities, among other entities, to retrofit municipal buildings and schools with energy-saving measures with no up-front costs. In 2007, New Jersey passed the Global Warming Response Act, which requires a reduction in carbon emissions to our 1990 level by 2020, and 80% below the 2006 level by 2050.