Translator Disclaimers
For Immediate Release: Contact: Peter Peretzman
Date: 10/3/2018 609-984-9707
NJBPU will host a series of public hearings this month to gather input on the state’s new Zero Emissions Certificates (ZEC) program for nuclear power plants
TRENTON—The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) will host a series of public hearings this month to gather input on the state’s new Zero Emissions Certificates (ZEC) program for nuclear power plants providing New Jersey’s nuclear energy supply. The ZEC legislation, S-2313, was signed by Governor Murphy in May and will help combat climate change by maintaining New Jersey’s nuclear energy supply, which currently contributes close to 40 percent of the State’s electric capacity and is by far New Jersey's largest source of carbon-free energy.  

 

Additionally, the agency has released a series of questions designed to provide stakeholders with the information they need to provide informed feedback and engagement.

 

The public hearings will take place October 4 in Hackensack, October 10 in Atlantic City, and October 11 in New Brunswick. All three hearings will begin at 4 p.m.

 

Under the proposed ZEC program, eligible nuclear power units that demonstrate a need would be designated to receive credits to maintain the state’s nuclear energy supply. The scheduled public hearings will focus on the content of the ZEC application, the application process, the process for determining the eligibility of applicants, and the ranking of any eligible nuclear power plants. 

 

 “Nuclear power is an important piece of the state’s energy puzzle,” said NJBPU President Joseph L. Fiordaliso. “The Board and its staff take seriously the responsibility to analyze nuclear power plant financial information and applications and determine whether the credits are warranted.”

 

By November 2018, the Board will create the ZEC program including an application process for ZEC eligibility review and a mechanism for each of the state’s electric companies to buy ZECs from the selected nuclear power plants.

 

As part of the program, the Board will also conduct a second proceeding to certify which applicant nuclear power units are eligible to receive ZECs and to establish a rank-ordered list of those plants that are eligible based upon the process the Board creates. Under the law this proceeding must be completed by April 2019 and it will include public input.

 

President Fiordaliso has been designated as the presiding officer and is authorized to rule on all motions that arise during the ZEC program creation and implementation process.

 

Visit www.bpu.state.nj.us for more information and to review the hearing notice containing the questions.

 

The ZEC public hearing dates and locations are as follows:

 

Date 1:           October 4, 2018

Time:              4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Location:        Hackensack Administration Building

Freeholder’s Public Meeting Room, 5th floor

1 Bergen County Plaza, Hackensack, NJ

 

 

Date 2:           October 10, 2018  

Time:              4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Location:        Stockton University – Atlantic City Campus

3711 Atlantic Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ 

 

 

Date 3:           October 11, 2018

Time:              4:00 PM to 7:00 PM 

Location:        Middlesex County Administration Building

Freeholders Meeting Room

                        75 Bayard Street, 1st Floor, New Brunswick, NJ

 

 

Written comments may be filed by the public with the Secretary of the Board of Public Utilities at 44 South Clinton Avenue, 3rd Floor, Suite 314, Post Office Box 350, Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0350, ATTN: Aida Camacho-Welch, Board Secretary, regardless of attendance at the hearings.  Written comments may also be submitted electronically to: ZEC.Comments@bpu.nj.gov   in PDF or Word format.  All comments must be received on or before 5:00 p.m. on October 22, 2018.

 

About the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU)
The NJBPU is a state agency and regulatory authority mandated to ensure safe, adequate and proper utility services at reasonable rates for New Jersey customers. Critical services regulated by the NJBPU include natural gas, electricity, water, wastewater, telecommunications and cable television. The Board has general oversight and responsibility for monitoring utility service, responding to consumer complaints, and investigating utility accidents.
To find out more about the NJBPU, visit our web site at
www.nj.gov/bpu.

 

 

About the New Jersey Clean Energy Program (NJCEP)
NJCEP, established on January 22, 2003, in accordance with the Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act (EDECA), provides financial and other incentives to the State's residential customers, businesses and schools that install high-efficiency or renewable energy technologies, thereby reducing energy usage, lowering customers' energy bills and reducing environmental impacts. The program is authorized and overseen by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU), and its website is
www.NJCleanEnergy.com.