(TRENTON) – Assemblymen Upendra Chivukula (D-Somerset) and Wayne DeAngelo released the following statements Thursday as a special Assembly committee convened a hearing on how best to improve New Jersey’s economy.
Chivukula is the chairman of the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee, while DeAngelo is the vice chairman of the panel.
Chivukula (D-Somerset/Middlesex):
“As we move toward a plan to revive New Jersey’s economy, green jobs and the alternative energy industries must a key part of that picture. This difficult economy is an opportunity to create new jobs and retrain the unemployed in clean energy work, while New Jersey’s economic future may well depend on being a leader in this field.
“New Jersey’s energy master plan calls for creating 20,000 green jobs between now and 2020, including 8,300 in installation and construction, 7,400 in operations and maintenance and more than 4,000 in ancillary jobs. This is a goal that must be met.
“I look forward to working with the administration and my colleagues in the Legislature to seize this opportunity and create a strong economic future for our state.”
DeAngelo (D-Mercer/Middlesex):
“One thing we can all agree on is the need to reinvigorate New Jersey’s economy and create good-paying, sustainable jobs for lower- and middle-income residents. Green jobs and clean energy must be a focus.
“Finding ways to boost companies that focus on renewable energy and the jobs they provide is vital. Not only will it be a boon for our economy, but renewable energy helps reduce dependence on foreign oil, strengthening our national security, too.
“We cannot let this opportunity to bring and retain advanced technologies and high-paying jobs to New Jersey. Since I know we all share this common goal, I look forward working together to make it reality.”
