In an effort to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the usage of clean energy, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has released a plan that will provide more renewable sources of power, energy efficiency and modernization of the electric grid.
The plan, called Draft 2019 Energy Master Plan, advances New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy's goal of 100 percent clean energy by 2050, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) said in a release, according to Yahoo News.
The 107-page document signals a significant reversal of energy policies promoted by the prior Christie administration, which sought to expand the state’s natural-gas infrastructure, a strategy that led to lower heating and electricity costs for consumers but increased New Jersey’s reliance on fossil fuels.
Instead, the draft plan calls for shifting away from gas and other fossil fuels, primarily by maximum electrification of the transportation and building sectors, the biggest source of greenhouse-gas emissions in New Jersey. The draft plan essentially incorporates the state’s Global Warming Response Act, a law that mandates 80 percent reductions in carbon pollution below 2006 levels by 2050, according to NJSpotlight.com.
In a statement, Gov. Phil Murphy said the strategies set forth in the plan will foster economic growth by creating thousands of jobs. “Today’s draft plan is a critical step forward in reducing the effects of climate change and securing our state’s clean-energy future.’’
The BPU, which is overseeing the program, said comments on the draft plan are due by Sept. 16.
Ryan Berlin is digital content manager of Facilitiesnet.com.
