Governor Corzine’s draft energy master plan.

 

On April 17, 2008 Governor Corzine’s office unveiled a draft energy master plan for the State of New Jersey. This long-term energy draft plan was a joint effort of stakeholders and government officials and will now undergo a series of public hearing. At the conclusion of the hearings, a final energy master plan will be submitted to Governor Corzine. For the dates, times and topics of the public hearings please click here.

 

The draft energy master plan consists of 5 broad goals:

            - Energy conservation and energy efficiency;

            - Peak electricity demand;

            - Electricity needs from renewable sources;

            - Closing the gap between supply and demand of electricity;

            - Investing in innovative clean technologies and businesses.

 

In order to drive economic development in New Jersey, we need to create a supply of reasonable priced energy, continue to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and end our reliance on foreign sources of energy. The draft calls for a 20% reduction in energy consumption by the year 2020 and to derive 22.5% of our electricity from renewable sources. To reach these numbers the draft suggests increased use of wind farms and bio-mass fuels and amending building codes to provide for methods of construction that promote increased energy efficiency.

 

In addition the draft recommends looking into building a new nuclear power plant. This would be the first built in the country since 1973. The draft specifically calls for the reviewing of sites, permits, financing and waste disposal involved in bringing another nuclear plant to the state and for studying other technologies that would cause only minimal or no carbon dioxide emissions. PSE&G has already been investigating the possibility of adding a plant at its Lower Alloway Creek site in Salem County.

 

To download a copy of the plan click here.