Supporting Renewable Energy in New Jersey

Supporting Renewable Energy in New Jersey

Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District is committed to reducing energy consumption by utilizing renewable energy sources in New Jersey.

New Jersey's Energy Master Plan (EMP) lays out a strategy to ensure a reliable supply of sustainable energy for the state's residents and businesses. It will replace "older generation" energy - such as fossil fuels - with "new generation" energy sources which are local, sustainable and reliable.

The NJ Board of Public Utility's (BPU) Renewable Energy Incentive Program for 2009 is one more step toward reaching that goal. This program will provide incentives for onsite renewable energy projects using solar, wind and biopower technologies. Additionally, the New Jersey Clean Energy Program™ is making renewable energy technologies affordable and practical by providing financial incentives, along with technical and program support needed for implementation according to a BPU news release.

These programs are an important part of New Jersey Governor Corzine's goal to reduce overall energy use twenty percent by 2020. Further, New Jersey's Clean Energy Program offers tremendous resources to help residents, businesses and communities, reduce their energy use and costs. According to BPU, as of 2/28/09, over 3,689 NJ residential, commercial, public and non-profit entities have installed a solar electric system.

Solar power and renewable energy sources reduce the need for carbon based energy production therefore, contributing to cleaner air. With so many incentives being offered to residents and businesses, LPCCD would like to see the movement spread to New Jersey's urban cities and communities of color.

"This is a big picture concept affecting all of us," explains LPCCD Director of Sustainability, Rob Wisniewski. "The chain of events that are integral to power production, leading ultimately to the consumer, run through numerous land, water, and air natural resource channels. The cost of using energy is far greater than our utility bills. Our world is affected by larger occurrences outside the urban environment that we need to become more aware of."

Furthermore, Baye Adofo-Wilson, Executive Director of LPCCD added, "if New Jersey, or any state, plans on sincerely reaching energy conservation and renewable energy goals, these new energy efficient incentives and programs have to be developed and implemented in a way that residents in urban communities can also maximize. And currently, that is not happening."

For more information about LPCCD's projects and programs, email info@lpccd.org.