New Jersey’s energy future not clear
Governor reconsiders points of energy plan
When Gov. John Corzine and his staff announced last year that they would be drafting a ten-year energy master plan for the state, Environment New Jersey set out to convince the governor to make energy efficiency and renewable energy the center of the plan, and to reject the utility lobbyists’ proposal to build new nuclear and fossil fuel plants in the state.
A copy of the draft plan leaked in October revealed that the governor was buying the utility lobby’s proposal, tying New Jersey’s energy future to the dirty and dangerous energy sources of the past—the same sources responsible for so many of New Jersey’s environmental problems.
A better way
Our current power plants have already left us with long-term consequences that we cannot live with and cannot afford to fix—everything from childhood asthma to excessive fish kills to the looming threat of global warming. The list, unfortunately, goes on. So Environment New Jersey raised our concerns with reporters across the state and alerted the public to the long-term implications of building new power plants.
By the end of the year, the governor brought the plan back to the drawing board to reevaluate its priorities and take another look at renewable energy and energy efficiency.
That’s a good start. This spring, Gov. Corzine will release the draft of his planand will ask for the public’s input at public hearings across the state. Environment New Jersey will continue to advocate clean energy solutions and will encourage citizens and interested organizations to join us in asking Gov. Corzine to say “no” to the construction of new, dirty power plants.
The future is now
Instead, the governor should develop a plan that reduces overall energy consumption in New Jersey by promoting more efficient homes, businesses and appliances. And he should promote clean, renewable energy sources such as solar and wind.
With the right strategies, New Jersey can decrease our reliance on the energy sources of the past and move toward clean energy solutions that reduce harmful emissions, create new jobs, and position New Jersey as a world leader in innovative technology.
Recent update: Environment New Jersey In The News.
Renewable energy sources like solar can replace dirty energy sources like coal, oil and gas.
