Mon Aug 11, 2008 at 02:49:30 PM EDT
|
| I feel like the current energy debate gets us no where productive slowly. Now we're talking about who's fault it is that there's no comprehensive energy policy. The true fault probably lies with everyone involved, but rather than complaining about what hasn't been done, maybe we should examine some of the successes that could help the NJ energy and economic situation.
Follow me below the fold for the story... |
| Jason Springer :: Time to move forward with energy in NJ |
We all know about the current state of the NJ economy, but when I read headlines like Wind, solar energizing Pennsylvania's economy, I wonder why that can't be us.A few days ago, we tipped our hat to the state's new wind-energy industry in A cleaner puff of Pennsylvania is on the way. Today, Philadelphia Inquirer writer Sandy Bauer, in a story detailing the industry's emergence, declares that wind has become "the dominant renewable-energy fuel in Pennsylvania."
Pennsylvania already has nine commercial wind farms with a total of 175 turbines and a capacity of 294 megawatts - enough to power 78,000 households, Bauer reports in Wind power gains momentum.
"Five more wind farms under construction will double that by year's end. About 70 more projects are in development." Now that we know what they're working with, let's look at some of the benefits for the PA economy besides the new energy sources:Perhaps as important as energy production is the industry's potential benefit to the state's economy. Gamesa Technology Corp. Inc., part of a Spanish company that's one of the world's largest turbine makers, already has 600 workers working round-the-clock, six days a week, at its $34M plant on the former U.S. Steel site in Bucks County (and a second in western PA). And the state is raving about the results:Right now, it's the cheapest renewable resource available, said Charlie Young, a spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Protection. It's on par, in some cases, with traditional sources of energy." On par except for the fact that they are creating it themselves. Pennsylvania has companies investing in building their operations, hiring employees for green jobs and generating clean, cheaper energy that further benefits the region. The state hasn't just expanded their wind production, but taken advantage of solar energy expansion as well:Dubbed "Pennsylvania Solar Park," it would be the largest solar energy plant in Pennsylvania and one of the largest in the U.S., generating enough electricity to power 1,450 homes and eliminate more than 320,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions within 30 years of operation.
Both solar and wind developers have benefited from a requirement that 18 percent of the state's energy come from alternative and renewable sources by 2020.
Electric utilities are already looking to enter into contracts with alternative energy providers in order to meet that deadline. That is government spurring economic development rather than arguing about who caused the problem in the first place. So while everyone argues about if and where we should drill, let's not lose site of the potential benefits alternative energy provide to the overall economy as a whole. Let's look at what they're doing in Atlantic County:The 7.5-megawatt (MW) Jersey-Atlantic Wind Farm is the first wind farm to be built in New Jersey, and the first coastal wind farm in the United States. The wind farm is located in Atlantic County, NJ and is visible to more than 30 million Atlantic City visitors each year from downtown Atlantic City and the Atlantic City Expressway. The project produces approximately 19 million kilowatt-hours of emission-free electricity per year, which is enough emission-free energy to power over 2,000 homes. The electricity is used by both the Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) Wastewater Treatment Plant and delivered to the regional electric grid. Imagine what could be done if there was really a statewide push. Apparently there could be more on the way if the BPU would sign off:Plans on file in the state BPU office here show most of the proposals favor building the projects in southern New Jersey - anywhere from three to 20 miles offshore, visible from most of the region's beaches. The state is seeking to get as much as 350 megawatts of power from the projects. By comparison, the B.L. England power plant in Upper Township produces about 214 megawatts. The proposals are meant to take stress off the grid that gets much of its energy from out of state, while replacing energy sources that emit thousands of tons of pollutants each year. The BPU's own maps filed with the US Department of Energy show the potential for much greater wind energy projects, but they have now apparently delayed their August meeting until October, which left State Senator John Adler none to pleased:It's unconscionable for the State bureaucracy to be blocking approvals when families and businesses are suffering daily from outrageous energy costs. It's time to expedite approvals for the offshore windmill project. Other countries have had offshore windmill farms for years. But New Jersey government is moving too slowly or not at all by imposing paralysis by analysis. It shouldn't be so hard to act.
It seems as though there's too much wind in the Newark offices of the BPU and not enough determination to get offshore windmills tested promptly. It's nice to have a master plan calling for 1,000 megawatts of electricity through wind power. But let's first get the 350-megawatt project in motion. Waiting for perfection is crushing to these worthy initiatives. We can talk about changing lightbulbs which is an important step all all day long, but the heavy lifting requires a change in mentality and some long term planing to take advantage of the potential this emerging industry holds. Pennsylvania is taking these steps through private investment while they sit back and realize the economic benefits at every level. Let's hope that we aren't going to be far behind. |
|
Featured Stories  |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
