NJBPU Approves New Programs and Funding for Customer Energy Savings and Renewable Energy

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TO ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT EDITORS:

NJBPU Approves New Programs and Funding for Customer Energy Savings and Renewable Energy

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WASHINGTON, Mar. 2 -/E-Wire/-- The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) and a number of renewable energy companies and environmental groups applauded a March 1 decision by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) approving programs that will help customers reduce energy use and develop renewable energy sources such as wind and solar energy systems.

"These programs will bring substantial environmental and public health benefits to the state," said AWEA executive director Randall Swisher. "The BPU decision will also help insulate New Jersey consumers against energy price spikes that occur at times of peak demand in today's competitive energy market while improving overall system reliability."

AWEA's Northeast State Representative, David Wooley, estimates that the Board's decision could result in about $45 million in capital cost contributions for large and small wind energy development over the next 3 years, provided that wind developers actively compete for the funds. Wooley also stated that the Board's decision sets a precedent that will likely to result in $120 million for wind energy development over the full eight-year life of the BPU renewables program. The BPU is expected to issue regulations next month to begin implementing the NJ's Renewable Portfolio Standard and Net Metering laws, Wooley added. "These regulations will work in concert with yesterday's funding decision to boost renewables throughout the Mid-Atlantic region," Wooley said.

The State's utilities will administer the efficiency programs and the rebate program for customer-sited renewables. The renewable energy programs that the Board approved will provide rebates to customers who install clean technologies such as wind generators, fuel cells, and solar electric systems in their homes and businesses. The BPU, in conjunction with the Department of Environmental Protection and an appointed group of independent expert advisors, will develop and implement the programs to support larger-scale renewable energy projects, such as wind farms and sustainable biomass projects. Specific program details are still to be developed.

"Wind energy is the fastest growing energy source world-wide," said Swisher. "The funds available to landowners and wind energy developers under this order will help ensure that New Jersey shares in the economic and environmental benefits of large scale grid-connected turbines, and smaller wind machines suitable for homes and farms."

Approval of the programs and the new funding levels needed to implement them is the latest step in New Jersey's Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act, which governs the state's utility services restructuring process. The programs are the primary tools by which the state will meet the environmental goals set forth in the Act. The overarching goal is to reduce the state's energy use and accelerate the shift to cleaner energy sources, improving New Jersey's environment, economy, and the health of its citizens.

"These programs provide the most cost-effective means to reduce the environmental and public health impacts of energy use, including nitrogen oxides which cause smog, sulfur dioxide which causes acid rain, carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas, and mercury, which poisons our rivers and lakes," said Dale Bryk, an attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council, a national environmental group that helped develop the provisions of the restructuring law that require the new programs. "These efforts will also contribute significantly to the State's climate change goal of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 3.5% by 2005."

The comprehensive package of energy efficiency and renewable energy programs that the BPU approved are designed to provide the greatest customer savings and environmental benefit per dollar invested and are to be delivered on a statewide basis to New Jersey customers.

The new programs will be backed by a significant increase in statewide funding. Funding will increase from approximately $55 million in each of 1999 and 2000 to $115 million for 2001, $119 million for 2002 and approximately $124 million for 2003, 75% of which will go to the efficiency programs and 25% of which will support renewables. In 2003 the Board will determine the funding levels for an additional five years of programs that the restructuring legislation guarantees. Funds will be collected through the Societal Benefits Charge (SBC) specified in the legislation. The funding levels approved by the Board fairly balance the state's commitment to funding energy efficiency and renewable technology programs with concerns over rate increases.

"This is a significant step towards reducing harmful air pollution in New Jersey," said Natalie Patasaw, energy policy analyst at Environmental Defense. "These new programs will encourage clean, renewable sources of energy, which are essential because electricity is the largest industrial source of pollution nationwide. The Board should be applauded for this enlightened move."

Information about the new programs is available on the Web site of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities at www.bpu.state.nj.us

American Wind Energy Association

Conectiv Power Delivery, Matt Likovich, [REDACTED-PHONE],

Elizabethtown Gas, George Koodray, [REDACTED-PHONE] X 4613,

GPU Energy, Ron Morano, [REDACTED-PHONE],

New Jersey Natural Gas, Roseanne Koberle, [REDACTED-PHONE],

Orange & Rockland, Michael Donovan, [REDACTED-PHONE],

PSE&G;, Kathleen T. Ellis, [REDACTED-PHONE],

South Jersey Gas, Joanne Brigandi, [REDACTED-PHONE] X4240,

Contacts for the non-utility parties:

American Wind Energy Association, David Wooley, [REDACTED-PHONE] x238,

Randy Swisher, [REDACTED-PHONE],

BP Solarex, Todd Foley, [REDACTED-PHONE],

Eastern Heating, & Cooling Council, Harry Roth, 1-[REDACTED-PHONE],

Environmental Defense, Natalie Patasaw, [REDACTED-PHONE] x1151,

Honeywell, Dave Holland, [REDACTED-PHONE] X 3005,

Natural Resources Defense Council, Dale Bryk, [REDACTED-PHONE],

Renewable Ventures, Mike Walker, [REDACTED-PHONE]

http://www.bpu.state.nj.us

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