As the new home of NJPIRG's environmental work, Environment New Jersey can be contacted regarding this news release.
TRENTON—Acting Governor
Codey will sign a bill today at 2:30pm that will significantly reduce electricity
use across the state. The legislation (A516/S332) sets minimum energy efficiency
standards for common products used throughout the state.
“The Bush Administration
has failed to provide this country with energy policies that improve our quality
of life. Assembly Bill A516 is a positive first step for the state of New Jersey
to offer its residents energy efficient products that lower electric bills,
reduce demand on the electrical grid, and lessen New Jersey’s reliance
on power plants that pollute the atmosphere,” said Assemblywoman Watson-Coleman,
the prime sponsor of the legislation.
Natural gas prices have
risen about 25% just in the last year. New Jersey’s heavy dependence on
natural gas for electricity as well as heat will continue to result in higher
utility bills unless the state takes steps to conserve energy. By 2020, the
standards will save consumers over $742 million on their utility bills.
“Especially during
cold snaps, New Jersey homes and businesses struggle to pay their utility bills.
Energy efficiency saves money for everyone, by significantly lowering electricity
demand across the region,” said Emily Rusch, Energy Advocate for NJPIRG.
As a result of the new energy
efficiency standards, electricity use will decrease by about 1% across the state,
which will also help to prevent overloading the electricity grid and increase
reliability.
“Energy efficiency
is a smart way to reduce power plant pollution and make energy more reliable,
preventing future blackouts in New Jersey,” said Senator Sarlo, the prime
sponsor of the legislation in the Senate.
A516/S332 includes energy
efficiency standards for the following products: Torchiere lamps, unit heaters,
dry-type transformers, traffic signals, exit signs, large packaged air conditioners,
commercial air conditioners and freezers, and commercial clothes washers.
New Jersey is the fourth
state to enact efficiency standards for these products, after Maryland, Connecticut,
and California.
“Do we want more polluting
power plants in New Jersey? Of course not. As New Jersey’s population increases,
we need to maximize energy efficiency and clean energy resources in order to
avoid new power plants,” concluded Rusch.
