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Environment New Jersey Environmental Associate Ethan Lavine presents the potential threats of global warming pollution if New Jersey continues on its current energy path.
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New energy master plan for New Jersey
On Oct. 3, Gov. Corzine launched the start of a year-long process between the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and multiple state agencies to develop a 15-year energy master plan for the state.
New Jersey’s energy master plan is an opportunity for Gov. Corzine to be an energy visionary and to put our state on the path to a new energy future.
Environment New Jersey is working to ensure that the master plan includes goals and strategies to cut our oil demand by one-third, reduce our electricity and home heating demand by 10 percent below current levels, cut global warming emissions by 20 percent below current levels and ensure that 20 percent of our energy comes from clean, renewable sources like wind and solar.
Panel endorses off-shore wind pilot project
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New Jersey has already taken the initiative to build a handful of windmills on land, and to increase our clean energy production, but now we can move forward with off-shore wind projects.
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After much deliberation and public comment, the governor’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Offshore Wind officially endorsed off-shore wind projects as a key part of the solution to New Jersey’s energy problems.
The report directs Gov. Corzine and his administration to move forward with plans to develop a 350 megawatt (80 turbine) off-shore wind pilot project. The coast near Atlantic City has been discussed as one possible site for the project.
“This project will help make New Jersey a national leader in development of clean energy sources,” said Dena Mottola, Environment New Jersey’s executive director. “The answer really is blowing in the wind.”
Off-shore wind energy will help ensure that 20 percent of New Jersey’s energy needs will be met by clean, renewable energy sources by 2020 and will encourage the phase-out of dirty, dangerous power plants.
Low-sulfur diesel fuel introduced
After close to a decade of advocacy by national environmental groups, the Environmental Protection Agency rolled out new cleaner fuel for diesel trucks and buses.
The new fuel, called “ultra low sulfur diesel,” contains 97 percent less sulfur than regular diesel fuel. Even old diesel engines burning the new fuel will reduce their soot emissions.
“Diesel soot is one of the most toxic pollutants in the air,” said Doug O’Malley, Environment New Jersey’s field director. “This new diesel fuel will allow New Jersey’s diesel vehicles to install air pollution filters to help clean up our air.”
In 2005, Environment New Jersey worked to pass a law requiring state school buses, garbage trucks and transit buses to install filters that reduce soot pollution. The new ultra low sulfur diesel will allow the filters to work successfully.
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