For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Jackie Greger, Jackie.Greger@sierraclub.org
NJ Legislature Moving Good Energy and Environmental Bills: Grid Modernization, Clean Energy, and Climate Action
Trenton, NJ - Today, several energy and environmental bills moved forward at the statehouse to improve our electric grid and act on climate change.
Here are statements from Anjuli Ramos-Busot, the New Jersey Sierra Club Chapter Director;
S2189 (Zwicker/Burzichelli) – Requires BPU to study potential deployment of advanced transmission technologies in NJ.
“The New Jersey Sierra Club is excited to see this bill move forward, launching New Jersey forward by researching new ways to transfer electricity. This legislation will help to find innovative and much-needed solutions to modernize our grid.”
S684 (Smith/McKeon) – Establishes geothermal energy pilot program for gas public utilities.
“This exciting legislation will help New Jersey better understand the costs and benefits of geothermal energy, and give the BPU the authority to move forward with geothermal if the pilot program is successful. We are pleased to see the legislature prioritizing solutions to bring ratepayers relief across the state by increasing clean generation.”
A3969 (Karabinchak/Venezia) – Increases solar development goals of SREC-II program and extends certain target dates of the program to 2035.
“The New Jersey Sierra Club is extremely pleased to see an increased development goal for the SREC-II program and extension of key targets. Solar is currently the cheapest form of energy to bring online, and this bill will help to ramp up the deployment of both large and community-scale projects across the state while lowering costs for families and businesses.”
S687 (Smith/McKeon): Creates Joint Blue Ribbon Task Force on Impacts of Climate Change on Property Insurance.
“As New Jersey grapples with the escalating challenges posed by the climate crisis, like the alarming rise in sea levels and the frequent inland flooding that disrupts communities, the connection between environmental risk and economic stability has become crucial. S687 is a necessary proactive step as it will include a science-based risk assessment, end development subsidies, and prioritize environmental justice by including the impacts of displacement and segregation to low- and moderate-income families in its mandate.”
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About the Sierra Club: The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information about our work in New Jersey, visit www.sierraclub.org/new-jersey