I observed the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing today and expected fireworks in the hearing to confirm Bob Hanna to be President of the Board of Public Utilities, but instead of fireworks, we got a dud.
Hanna's confirmation was a love fest, and the committee unanimously advanced it to the full Senate for final approval. From what I can tell, although Hanna has had limited experience in the world of utilities and telecommunications, he's a well-respected lawyer and public servant, and there's no reason to deny the Governor's appointment of Mr. Hanna to the BPU.
But our state senators are not shrinking violets (more on this later), and this hearing was a golden opportunity to raise some concerns and get Hanna's response. No doubt he agrees with the Governor on the important issues facing the board, but he should have been asked about the state's withdrawal from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (right after the Governor had a secret meeting with the Koch Brothers), the impact of the Governor's de-emphasis of renewable energy in the state's Energy Master Plan, and the Governor's hidden tax increase when Mr. Christie took the money from the Societal Benefit Fund (a surcharge on your utility bill) to help balance the budget instead of investing those dollars in clean energy.
In a densely populated state with few indigenous traditional sources of energy, the cost, safety, and reliability of New Jersey's energy supply present significant challenges. Energy prices are rising, the capacity for energy distribution is becoming strained, and environmental impact is a major concern. Some of those challenges were addressed today at a joint Senate/Assembly hearing in Toms River co-chaired by Senator Bob Smith and Assemblyman John McKeon.
By law, the state must issue an Energy Master Plan (EMP) that documents the administration's "strategic vision for the use, management, and development of energy in New Jersey over the next decade." The plan must be revised every three years.
Governor Christie's draft EMP was the topic of today's hearings. Prior to these discussions, hearings were conducted by the governor's Board of Public Utilities (BPU). I did not attend those, but from the information I have, those hearings were biased toward the traditional electrical power generation and distribution industries. By contrast, today's hearings gave environmentalists and activists an opportunity to be heard.
There's a term going around these days - "disruptive technology." It refers to innovations that result in a totally new way of using technology to do something that causes an existing technology to rapidly become obsolete. One example is portable music players. Soon they will completely supplant compact disk recordings, which itself was a disruptive technology that replaced cassette tapes.
Generation of electrical energy from wind is not strictly a disruptive technology because it will not totally replace fossil fuels (at least in the near term), but it does hold the promise of clean energy while reducing our dependence on dirty fuels like coal, oil, and uranium.
Solar Energy Saves Money, Could Provide Free Electricity and CASH to Municipalities & Schools in New Jersey
New Jersey taxpayers could net $36.9 million per year, $369 million over 10 years, with the installation of 152.5 megawatts (MW) of photovoltaic (PV) solar electricity systems on public schools, community colleges, and each of the public universities in the state.
The systems would pay for themselves within the first 8 years. At 2010 values of electricity and Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs), these systems would generate electricity worth approximately $300 Million and SRECs worth $1.2 Billion over the first 10 years, approximately $369 Million in excess of the cost of the systems, and provide virtually free electricity over the remainder of their 35 to 40 year lifespan.
Widespread deployment of solar energy increases the resilience of the electric grid, strengthens national security and can enhance local emergency response capabilities.
Utilities historically included in their rates funding for programs that provide societal benefits such as low income programs, nuclear decommissioning, and funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. New Jersey's 1999 electric utility restructuring legislation (EDECA) authorized the Board of Public Utilities to permit utilities to continue collecting funds for these types of programs in a restructured utility market through a "societal benefits charge" (SBC).
The Societal benefits charge goes to six places including Social programs, Nuclear plant decommissioning, the Universal Service Fund, which provides for social programs such as the Lifeline Program and Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Remediation of manufactured gas plant sites, Consumer education and New Jersey's Clean Energy Program. That 1999 law specifically spells out the details of the societal benefits charge in Section 12:
Simultaneously with the starting date for the implementation of retail choice as determined by the board pursuant to subsection a. of section 5 of this act, the board shall permit each electric public utility and gas public utility to recover some or all of the following costs through a societal benefits charge that shall be collected as a non-bypassable charge imposed on all electric public utility customers and gas public utility customers.
Every ratepayer has to contribute to the fund through their payments. Not only do they say the fund has to be created at the same time and everyone has to pay into it, but then they spell out who controls it and here's a hint, it's not the Governor:
There is established in the Board of Public Utilities a nonlapsing fund to be known as the "Universal Service Fund." The board shall determine: the level of funding and the appropriate administration of the fund; the purposes and programs to be funded with monies from the fund; which social programs shall be provided by an electric public utility as part of the provision of its regulated services which provide a public benefit
That seems pretty clear that it's not the Governor, but the BPU that would have to make the decision. But even if they made the decision, I don't think the monies can be used to transfer into the general fund, because they are collected and dedicated for the Universal Service Fund. The Board decided give it to the Clean Energy Program. And it's not even a question of partisan politics, because the law was passed by the Republican Legislature and signed by Governor Whitman. Just like he's had to pull back on his power toward transferring other funds after freezing, Christie may need to re-evaluate here. If he wants to do it, it appears he's going to need legislative approval.
A pending decision by the state Board of Public Utilities on a massive North Jersey power line project may be postponed to allow consideration of possible new evidence on the need or demand for the additional power, officials said today.
The BPU was poised to decide the fate of the 45-mile, $750 million high-voltage Susquehanna-Roseland power line proposed by PSE&G next Friday. However, it was asked by participants in the case to consider a recent decision by a related power provider in the mid-Atlantic region to withdraw a similar power line project application.
PATH Allegheny Virginia Transmission Corp. has asked for permission from a Virginia regulatory agency to withdraw its proposal to build a 276-mile, $1.8 billion high-voltage transmission line from West Virginia, through Virginia and to Maryland, due to a weak economy and growing energy conservation movement.
While environmental groups think that the line is not necessary and other companies are backing off, it doesn't seem like this delay is going to change PSE&G's attempts to move forward. They said they still think that the record will show they need more power for reliability reasons. This is what PSE&G's website says about the current system:
The existing power line was built in the 1920s and can't handle the modern load. The experts who manage the regional grid warn that we risk blackouts and brownouts starting in 2012 if we don't act. Most of the 23 circuits at risk for overload are in New Jersey.
Here's more on the proposed power line and the debate over the necessity of it:
The proposed Susquehanna-Roseland power line would allow for new, higher towers to carry more voltage along an existing tower route through Warren, Sussex, Morris and Essex counties.
PSE&G contends the transmission line is needed to maintain reliability of the regional electricity grid. But opponents say it would harm the state's environment to help provide power in other regions and profits for the company.
Environmental groups say that if more power is necessary, there are better alternatives than 195 foot tall transmission towers. There's a pretty eye opening video at opposethetowers.com with local leaders talking about the potential impact of the project on their towns:Among the many concerns they list are a decrease in property values of homes along the line route. The BPU commissioner will now have to decide if the Virginia information should get added to the public record. If the entire BPU board agrees, that would delay a final decision on the power line for an unknown period of time.
Talk about grandstanding. If you listen to Republicans, many of the nominations from the Governor during lame duck were completely unexpected, came out of nowhere and are cause for uproar. Take for example Ed McBride, the Governor's former chief of staff to a judgeship in Burlington County who the GOP says was a complete surprise and pushed them over the line. The reality is far from that and indicates grandstanding to score political points. Call it the surprise they had advance notice of:
So, let's go back. On November 12, Christie and Corzine met face to face for the first time since the election. They were joined by the ArchBishop of Newark, because the meeting took place after the blue mass. There, they discussed transition and according to Corzine some appointments the Governor was hoping to make in the coming weeks before leaving office.
Was there an actual agreement? hard to say. But if there was at least a gentlemen's agreement, at some point it deteriorated. Perhaps it was the sheer number of nominations and appointments Corzine asked for: 180. The Christie people feel that this is an attempt to jam through unpopular appointments at the 11th hour. Or perhaps it was the nomination of Chief of Staff Ed McBride to a judgeship. Here is where this gets tricky. The Corzine camp says it was made clear as early that Newark meeting that McBride was one of the appointments he'd like to make. They think for Christie's people to object now is disingenuous.
Separately, Blue Jersey has also been told that the Governor conveyed his intention to nominate McBride in that very first meeting. Not only did Christie and his team know, but sources in the Governor's Office confirm to BlueJersey that Christie's senior staff was directly informed of Corzine Chief of Staff Ed McBride's judicial nomination several days before the nomination was dropped. In addition, we're also told that McBride personally reached out to each member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, both Demcorat and Republican, days before the nomination was filed.
Whether or not the Governor should have made appointments before lame duck is a separate issue from whether the Republicans are just trying to score political points and run out the clock before he can make the appointments and nominations. And even though two wrongs don't make a right, the 257 lame duck nominations the GOP approved when Don DiFrancesco left office in 2001 shows that they know how the game has been played and only have born again opposition to it because of how Corzine is now leading the way. To act like they didn't know is beyond disingenuous. This is the surprise they all knew about in advance. Doesn't that mean it's not really a surprise at all?
New Jersey utility regulators approved the largest reduction in natural gas prices in state history Wednesday.
The state Board of Public Utilities voted unanimously to share the savings from lower wholesale rates with retail consumers. The lower prices are effective immediately and are expected save the typical household $262 to $477 a year -- a reduction of 23 percent to 37 percent.
It's a pretty significant cut that people should notice in their wallet:
A typical New Jersey home that uses 1,000 therms of natural gas -- a standard measure of heat -- paid between $1,671 and $1,743 last year.
PSE&G, the state's largest utility, will charge 89 cents a therm as a result of Wednesday's vote, compared with $1.19 in October. That translates into a $262 annual savings for a typical home.
South Jersey Gas Co. customers are expected to save $325.
"This is the biggest rate reduction for natural gas in New Jersey history," said Jerry May, director of the Division of Energy at the state Board of Public Utilities.
If things stay the way they are, we can expect a cut in electricity rates for next year because of the lower cost for utilities to generate the electricity.
A coalition of New Jersey solar energy businesses, electrical contractors, independent electricians, and solar energy workers is urging Governor Jon Corzine to veto (A-3372), legislation that the group says will not only drive up costs for ratepayers, but cost the state hundreds of new green energy jobs as well.
In a press release, the coalition said the legislation imposes an "oppressive new mandate" on all renewable energy and energy efficiency installation projects in New Jersey, with the sole exception of residential projects, by mandating that state "prevailing wage" rates be paid to workers on all such projects.
Prevailing wages, the coalition says, are synonymous with union wage rates and "often forces businesses to hire union labor and sub-contractors at additional cost."
Oh the horror, paying people well. This is the argument for everything lately. It's amazing how businesses want people to buy their products, but then object to anything that would pay them enough to afford to buy. They go on to say why the Governor must act now:
This legislation must be vetoed by Governor Corzine. It is anti-solar because it will result in increasing the labor costs of solar by 180%. It contradicts the Governor's and Legislature's policies of growing solar and reducing global warming gases, " said Dennis Wilson, vice president in New Jersey for the Mid-Atlantic Solar Energy Energy Industries Association, a trade group representing solar energy companies, manufacturers, and solar project developers in NJ, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.
Anti-solar? What, the sun won't come out if workers get paid well? Does that mean it's pro-solar to remain on non union foreign produced oil, because that seems to be working so well. Or maybe they'd just like all the solar incentives and benefits with none of the requirements and regulations. I'm no expert, but with some heavy hitting sponsors in the Senate like Buono, Sweeney, Weinberg and Baroni, I can't see this one getting vetoed.
Mount Laurel, for instance, says it budgeted $360,000 for electricity in
its municipal buildings this year, up 28 percent from the previous year.
[...]
Evesham, Burlington County's most populous town, budgeted $330,000 for utilities this year, an 18 percent increase from 2007, and anticipates spending $343,000 next year
Audits completed according to the program requirements, first of all, are eligible to receive rebates of up to 75 percent of the cost of the audit. After that, if your local government goes on to actually implement recommendations from the energy audit and the work exceeds 25 percent of the cost of the audit, then you can qualify for an additional rebate of that 25 percent. In effect, your energy audit would be free. And upgrades in lighting, installing timers and motion sensing devices, more energy efficient copiers or hvac systems?all of these can translate into lower energy use and lower or more stable energy costs.
In order to participate, towns just need to pass a resolution enabling the town to submit the application and they even provide a sample resolution for an extra hand. 96 local governments have already applied for the audit program. If your town isn't participating, they can get the application to get the ball rolling.
By February, solar panels will be up at two schools. A geothermal system will heat and cool the Police Department by the fall. And by the end of next year, work will be complete on a natural-gas-fired cogeneration plant that will provide power, heating and cooling to township buildings and nearby schools.
Immediate savings have come from RecycleBank, the recycling initiative that began township-wide on July 1. The program triggered increased recycling participation and lowered landfill fees by $200,000 in the current fiscal budget, said Deborah Campbell, Cherry Hill's chief financial officer.
The economy may cause towns to hold back on making some of these green investments in new technologies, but I don't see much of a down side to participating if the audit because the town will be reimbursed for the majority if not all of the costs for the audit and then reap the savings of the changes made.
If skyrocketing gas prices at the pump were the left hook, natural gas increases for heating your home this winter may be the follow up right. The BPU has approved hikes in Natural Gas costs, effective immediately: First, NJ Natural Gas:
Average residential customers who heat their homes with natural gas will see a combined increase of 12.5 percent as a result of the approved price adjustments. Residential customers who do not use natural gas to heat their homes will see a smaller increase to their overall bill this winter.
NJNG said the average residential heating customer using 100 therms of gas per month will pay an additional $18.78, boosting bills from $150.76 to $169.54.
That's actually less than the 25.5% increase they were seeking, so I guess customers should be thankful? And the news for PSE&G customers:
Recognizing that the cost of natural gas has increased substantially since last winter, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) today approved PSE&G's request to increase natural gas supply rates by 14.3 percent for the average residential customer. It is the first gas supply increase in three years.
A residential gas heating customer who uses 100 therms in a winter month will pay $165.93 per month, or $20.47 more under the new rates. On an annual basis, this customer's bill for 606 therms will be $1,027.24, or an increase of $124.12.
These increases certainly aren't going to make life any easier for people when you add them to everything else that has gone up. What are the chances I can get a bailout helping hand on my heating bill?
Or think about the car-wash owner on Hamburg Pike in Wayne who was told by then-Mayor Scott Rumana a windmill there -- against a backdrop of strip malls and by-the-highway retailers -- might skew local aesthetics or be noisily unsafe.
Yes, you read that right boys and girls. The problem is not the traffic, noise and energy used by the strip malls and highway retailers, it would be the noise and look of a horrible windmill. God forbid. I have no problem with the strip malls as this is New Jersey, but I don't see how a windmill skews the aesthetics. Wayne isn't alone shunning alternative energy sources:
Take sea-swept Long Beach Township on Long Beach Island. Renewable energy stock, such as windmills, are banned there.
Think about that for a second, renewable energy stock, such as windmills are banned. What sense does that make. We have elected officials and candidates for office at every level of government screaming about becoming energy independent while at the same time NJ towns not only pass on the chance, but ban the possibility of making that happen.
Later this week, Governor Jon Corzine is expected to announce New Jersey's choice to receive a $19 million grant to develop a 350 megawatt, ocean-wind pilot project. If the project demonstrates that wind energy can succeed without significant environment damage, the state likely will ramp up its demand for ocean-wind power to as much as 3,000 megawatts.
This is a big step forward, but apparently there are going to be many more hurdles along the way including local control. Let's hope they can be overcome so that the energy rhetoric is not stifled by outdated local regulations.
Adler, and environmentalist Jeff Tittel of the Sierra Club, questioned how the state could achieve the twin goals of generating 20 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2020 and producing 1,000 megawatts of electricity through wind power _ when it has not been able to get the 350-megawatt pilot project in motion.
"If you don't take the first step, you're not going to get there," said Tittel.
The executive order was signed by Governor Codey in 2005 for the first wind farm. Now the earliest the BPU thinks they can get the project up and running in Atlantic City is 2012. Why don't we just keep studying this energy source until the next one comes along that we can begin to overstudy while it passes us by. In the search for the perfect solution, we are left with no action once again.
Fox, the BPU, and two other top officials are named in the suit brought by BPU fiscal chief Joe Potena, who claims retaliation for alerting state officials to an $80- to $100-million ratepayer-funded Clean Energy account set up outside state Treasury purview.
Fox for her part continues to deny the claims...
Fox's lawyer, Angelo Genova, in Trenton on Friday for another pre-trial motion in the case, said, "Jeanne Fox continues to look forward to her day in court. We're hoping that will be soon."
Despite these accusations, Governor Corzine renominated Fox to the position, but committee Chair Adler isn't in any rush to pass judgement on the case or the nomination...
"Well, we wouldn't call it before the trial is over, some sort of whistle-blower case," Judiciary Chairman Sen. John Adler, D-Camden, said. "I don't want to predict what might happen. We have to go slow on nominations of this importance."
Adler also said he's waiting for the State Police to conclude their background check on Fox. Republicans for their part have questioned everything involving this situation so I guess we'll have to see how it all plays out.
Now, let me say right off the bat that I'm not even pretending to be totally objective here. Jeanne Fox is one of my favorite people. Not just in government - but favorite people period. That being said, putting aside personal friendship, I can unabashedly say that she is one of the few people I've worked with who are in government for all the right reasons. Public Service. Policy. Helping people. Empowering others. You name it.
As Warner Wolf would say . . . let's go to the videotape . . .
Earlier this week, Governor Corzine re-nominated Jeanne Fox as President of the Board of Public Utilities due to a strong record of achievement - in areas ranging from the expansion of New Jersey's Renewable Energy Portfolio to the creation of a landmark Universal Service Fund to help low-income folks pay their bills. For a long time, the BPU had the knock of being a place that had folks at the helm who really didn't have the requisite experience in the areas that were under the agency's purvey (cough cough . . . Christie Whitman's stint at the Board . . . cough cough . . .Whitman appointee Herb Tate). But, that is far from the case here -in fact, Jeanne was the very first former BPU staffer to ever go on to become a Commissioner.
She has a real wealth of experience, knows her stuff and brings a lot to the table - from her days as a Regional Director at the EPA under Clinton to her work in state gov't at the DEP and BPU going back to the 1980's.
Try as she might to lay down some slams to get some ink, here are some facts that Jennifer Beck might want to take note of before she starts spouting off her partisan mouth on the issue again. First, as the direct result of the Clean Energy Program - as re-incarnated and improved by the BPU - administrative expenses were drastically cut. In terms of proactive action, solar installations sky-rocketed from a mere six to some several thousand today -the second highest photovoltaics in the nation. Under Jeanne's leadership, she helped transform our state's solar program from a rebate-driven model to a fiscally responsible, market-based system that will foster the continued growth of even more solar energy use here in New Jersey. Moreover, new initiatives are under way for other renewable energy programs. Over the past several years, thousands upon thousands of homeowners, schools, municipalities and businesses received tens of millions of dollars by way of renewable energy grants and rebates from the BPU's Clean Energy Program. And, ain't that, uh, the very purpose of the program? On top of this, New Jersey's Clean Energy Program is nationally recognized for promoting and developing innovative energy efficiency initiatives. With all the recent discussion about the fiscal state of our state, this should be noted as a shining example of how state gov't is helping taxpayers and families save money - not to mention helping the environment and saving the earth (sorry, couldn't solely focus on the money part without throwing in the obvious).
Also, in terms of keeping our state and its residents safe and secure, New Jersey's critical utility infrastructure has adopted strong protocols for protection from terrorist attacks - the first state in the nation to adopt such sweeping standards. Under Jeanne Fox's leadership, our state has become a real policy leader for the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. This will directly result is some serious, big-time reductions in New Jersey's carbon footprint. I know how some Republicans still have their head in the sand on global warming, but come on here.
So, when you look at the facts, this entire line of partisan attacks we've seen on the matter is a sham. And it's a real shame. But I suspect this won't be the last we hear from the headline-thirsty Republicans looking to carve out a name for themselves. (I mean, there might be a new batch of gop-ers under the gold dome, but that doesn't mean they'll whine or grasp at straws any less than their predecessors). If I was one for tea leaves and palm-reading, I'd place a wager that Senator Beck will be just the first in a chorus of rapid Republicans about to unleash unfounded, false and partisan attacks on Jeanne Fox and Governor Corzine . . . not because they're looking out for the people of New Jersey, but simply because they are looking to score cheap partisan points.
We all know that the issues in our state just aren't on the Republican's side. That's why they keep losing elections time and time and time again. Facing that reality these partisans will just start making up facts and twisting reality. For example, as sexy as it might sound, no matter how many times the Republicans say there was a "secret" bank account - it just doesn't make it true. The Clean Energy Account in question was established after a series of public hearings, and at a public meeting of the Board of Public Utilities. No rules were violated and the Wachovia contract was negotiated by the Department of Law & Public Safety.
Also, while mentioning Senator Beck and her desire to grab headlines by attacking the Corzine administration, I just have to point out a big ole bit of hypocrisy here. Beck is making hay and garnering press out of her strident opposition to the Governor's proposed toll increases. But, just a few short years ago she worked as a lobbyist fighting on the other side of the issue!
I know she wants to sprint out of the gate and make a name for herself. But, if lobbyist-turned-legislator Jennifer Beck really wants to talk about what's "emblematic of everything that is wrong with state Government," she should start by looking in the mirror.
Yesterday, the Board of Public Utilities approved the rate increases as part of a $6.5 billion auction for 7,200 megawatts of power. Under the annual auction process, New Jersey's four electric utilities purchase a portion of the power they need to serve their more than 3.5 million customers.
Yes boys and girls, your electric company is bidding on your electricity through an auction. Just another wondeful side effect of deregulation. Ironically, the prices at the auction actually declined but because of the way the auction is set up, we get an increase.So what does this years increase mean to you...
Jersey Central Power & Light customers will see their bills jump by 14 percent, or $13.30 a month, pushing the average monthly bill to $106.72. Customers of Public Service Electric & Gas, the state's largest utility, will be hit with an 11.7 percent increase, or $10.86 more a month, increasing the average monthly tab to $103.65.
And according to the article, don't expect things to get better soon...
Consumers may not see any dip in electric prices soon, others warned. Next year, the utilities will buy power to replace contracts signed in 2005 when the average residential price amounted to 6.5 cents per kilowatt hour.
Apparently now people are getting used to 10 cents. Besides a long term comprehensive energy policy, what can be done to start fixing this problem?
The $17 billion deal hit a roadblock in August, when New Jersey regulators raised concerns that the combined company would have too much market power, and should provide greater rate relief in New Jersey, where a PSEG subsidiary is the state's largest utility.
In statements, executives with both companies said they were disappointed, and confirmed that differences on rate concessions and market domination issues were "insurmountable."
Concerns had been raised over the merger ranging from the potential for job loss, the environmental impact, the monopoly the company would represent and the possibility to set market rates and gouge consumers. NJPIRG was opposing this deal and the Assembly Majority voted to oppose the deal in June as well.
At the beginning of August, Exelon basically told NJ to take their offer or leave it. I guess NJ left it and now Exelon has chosen to do the same. I think the ratepayers will end up benefiting from this non-deal.
The Chairman of Excelon Corp is tired of waiting for the Board of Public Utilities(BPU) to approve its merger with PSE&G. He's decided to issue an ultimatum according to today's Courier Post...
Calling negotiations between Exelon and PSEG "long and painful," John W. Rowe, chairman, president and CEO of Exelon Corp., Monday gave the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities an ultimatum: Take our very generous offer within the "next week or so," or leave it.
He went on to say...
"We have to be wanted here. We know we can't badger or bluff our way in." On the other hand, the CEO added, there comes a time "when the fruit start to rot on the tree."
Below the fold you can see what else they added to sweeten the pot on their "Very Generous offer", but i still don't think this is a good deal for NJ ratepayers. You want to talk about a monopoly, this new company will be the nation's largest utility company with 7 million electric and 2 million natural gas customers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Illinois. If you think the merger is a good idea, tell me why because i have my doubts.
Earlier today at MyDD, I posted my thoughts on the new documentary about Al Gore's personal campaign to stem the tide of global warming, 'An Inconvenient Truth.' Part of the review relays the story of my personal response to the trailer for the film just last week. It moved me so much, I immediately signed up for New Jersey's Clean Power Choice Program. Here's what I wrote:
Here in New Jersey, we have a program called NJ Clean Power Choice. It's really simple. For a nominal additional charge tacked on to the existing rate, energy consumers get to choose between four different suppliers of alternative energy. Three of these will purchase all of the energy you consume with a portfolio of more environmentally responsible choices, like wind, solar, hydroelectric, and even landfill gas. One of them will replace 15% of your power consumption with local wind power from the coastal Jersey-Atlantic Wind Farm. Personally, I saw the trailer for the documentary, remembered that I'd been putting off enrolling in the Clean Power Choice program since last fall, went to the website and signed up to have 100% of our electricity provided by alternative sources.
This is a program I've actually brought up to some of the other writers here at Blue Jersey, wondering how many had already signed up. To my surprise, I was among the last to have taken the step. So my initial thoughts about posting about the program here at Blue Jersey went out the window. I figured progressives here were already well aware of the program and didn't need me pestering them.
As it turned out, two Jersey-based commenters at MyDD had no idea that Clean Power Choice existed, and both signed up after reading my post. So here I am. If you don't know about NJ Clean Power Choice, think about looking into it. And if you are aware of it, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts and feelings. New Jersey is the first state in the nation to demand that the utilities offer all of its consumers a choice in how their energy is generated. This is a perfect example of why it's so important that we are, in fact, Blue Jersey.
