AQES’ Role in Energy Security

Energy security is where environmental, economic and national securities converge.  In essence, it’s ensuring that one energy source can easily be replaced by another, both in the short-term (e.g., system disruptions) and long-term (economic developments and sustainable needs). 

As such, the specifics of addressing energy security play heavily in the environmental arena.  This is part of the reason AQES was structured to include a Division of Energy Security and Sustainability, which, along with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, works to meet the State’s Energy Master Plan’s goal for a clean, secure and resilient energy system. 

New Jersey’s diverse energy mix, including its participation in the regional PJM network, plays a large part in creating redundancy and backup sources.  AQES seeks to enhance this mix by evaluating and supporting the development and implementation of secure and resilient energy sources, which create greater security and benefits for the State.  That said, integration of new energy sources and technologies must be carefully balanced with the State’s existing and imported energy sources, environmental regulations, population needs and long-term planning.

“In our on-going mission to protect the public’s health, safety and welfare, energy security must play a key role.  Since energy affects everyone, it’s critical that we seek to ensure its resiliency, while driving the network toward a more healthful and sustainable future,” says Air Quality, Energy and Sustainability Assistant Commissioner John Giordano.

For more information on our work, please visit us at http://www.nj.gov/dep/aqes/bes.html.