Among other things, the state Energy Master Plan released today seeks to do the following:
* Assess the cost of lost nuclear capacity, since Oyster Creek nuclear plant will be shuttered in 2019;
“Nuclear power, if constructed and operated safely, can be a long-term cost-effective hedge against fossil fuel price volatility, while providing thousands of jobs,” the report says.
* Pursue combined heat and power options, biomass and waste to energy;
* Promote expansion of the gas pipeline system;
“It will lower wholesale power costs while strengthening the foundation for economically and environmentally sound programs aimed at lessening the State’s dependence on oil,” the report stated.
* Reduce the Solar Alternative Compliance Payment and amend the state’s program from a fixed “GWh requirement for solar energy to the original requirement defined as a percentage of total energy.”
” A fixed GWh schedule cannot predict and accommodate the likely changes in the economy and energy demand that will occur over time and neglects opportunities for new renewable technologies which may be developed during the same period.”
* Expand opportunities for solar power to residents who so far have not been able to afford individual systems.
Regarding the controversial practice of hydraulic-fracturing gas exploration, the report says that “Closer to home, the debate over extracting natural gas from Marcellus shale in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and New York requires that we deal with the environmental ramifications attributable to reliance on an abundant, indigenous fuel.
“The pros and cons of both supply-side and demand-side resource options must be examined as New Jersey develops a diverse and cost-effective portfolio of energy technologies that meet the State’s economic, environmental and reliability objectives.”
“The Administration will manage energy in a manner which saves money, stimulates the economy, creates jobs, protects the environment, mitigates long-term cumulative impacts, and is consistent with the goals of the State Strategic Plan,” the report says.
Gov. Christie released a draft Energy Master Plan earlier this year, then held public hearings and convened work groups that examined specific areas such as biomass and alternative-fuel vehicles.
Democratic opponents, however, have argued his plan turns back the clock on New Jersey’s pursuit of cleaner, renewable energy. Christie responded that some of the Corzine administration-era goals were never achievable.
Earlier story:
