ENERGY MASTER PLAN DRAFT RELEASED

TRENTON – The state’s draft Energy Master Plan, a framework for a long-term energy strategy for the state and its energy needs through 2020, was released today. The proposal is a collaborative effort of more than 500 stakeholders and will now enter the public forum for further discussion.

“This document represents a platform for moving forward to provide New Jersey residents with clean, affordable and reliable energy resources,” said Governor Jon. S. Corzine. “The public will now have an opportunity to review the draft plan and engage in an active discourse about the state’s energy future.

“It has been more than ten years since any administration has updated the State’s Energy Master Plan. “While this has been a long process, we recognize the cost of doing nothing is critical and any action plan we implement must be done right.”

“I thank the Governor for his leadership in launching this important dialogue on energy, an issue that impacts the lives of every New Jerseyan,” said Jeanne M. Fox, Board of Public Utilities President and Chair of the Energy Master Plan Committee. “I look forward to working with my fellow EMP Committee members to engage the public in a thought provoking and substantive public discussion on this draft.  The public's input is integral to making the important policy decisions that will guide the final plan.”

The proposal considers five broad goals:

• energy conservation and energy efficiency
• peak electricity demand
• electricity needs from renewable sources
• closing the gap between the supply and demand of electricity
• investing in innovative clean energy technologies and businesses
  

These goals aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide energy savings and will build the foundation for an environmentally and economically responsible energy environment in New Jersey.

“Few initiatives will more significantly shape New Jersey's environmental future and positively affect generations to come than the work we're now doing to embrace and implement progressive clean-energy policies and programs. The recommendations of the Energy Master Plan will serve as the cornerstone of Governor Corzine's commitment to reducing greenhouse-gas emissions,” Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Lisa P. Jackson said.

By law, public hearings must be held at least 60 days after release of the Energy Master Plan draft. At the conclusion of those hearings, a final Energy Master Plan will be submitted to the Governor.

The draft plan, fact sheets and an FAQ are available at www.nj.gov/emp/.

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Photos from Governor Corzine's public events are available in the Governor's Newsroom section on the State of New Jersey web page.