Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee Chair Nancy Pinkin (D-Middlesex) on Wednesday commended Gov. Murphy for signing legislation she sponsored to improve and expand the state’s renewable energy programs:
“This is a step in the right direction.
“Gov. Murphy has made it clear that our goal is for New Jersey to generate 100 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2050.
“This law was developed in conjunction with the administration in order to move New Jersey in a new direction regarding our energy consumption and in-state generation.
“This will allow for continued development in the industry, keep the impact on rate payers manageable and allow the BPU to develop a long term approach to New Jersey’s solar market place.”
The law (A-3723) takes several critical steps to improve and expand New Jersey’s renewable energy programs including: establishing one of the most ambitious renewable energy standards in the country that provides additional protections for consumers; reforming the state’s solar program by making near-term structural changes to ensure that the program is sustainable over the long term; and codifying the governor’s offshore wind goals by 2030 and reinstating an expired program to provide tax credits for offshore wind manufacturing activities.
The law goes further by containing a provision which codifies the Governor’s Energy Storage goals, requiring each utility to implement energy efficiency measures, and establishing a community solar energy program to allow all New Jersey residents to benefit from solar energy.