Governor Christie releases the final version of N.J.'s Energy Master Plan

Governor Chris Christie released the state’s final 2011 Energy Master Plan, which is described as strategically balancing the development of new sources of clean energy, including natural gas, with renewables. The plan, which is the governor’s vision for the use, management, and development of energy in the state, builds upon what he sees as his efforts to make New Jersey the largest and fastest-growing solar energy market in the United States. 

Additionally, the administration proposes to address the current drop in the market price of solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs) with a plan designed to encourage growth of the solar industry and create the necessary certainty that will allow financial community to invest in energy development.


The Governor’s office has focused on the following:

• Accelerate the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) and reduce the Solar Alternative Compliance Payment (SACP) 
• Returning to the percentage obligation for solar 
• Promoting Solar Installations that Provide Economic and Environmental Benefit by Limiting SREC Eligibility 
• Expanding Opportunities for Solar 
• Drive down the cost of energy for all customers 
• Promote a diverse portfolio of new, clean, in-state generation 
• Reward energy efficiency and energy conservation and reduce peak demand 
• Capitalize on emerging technologies for transportation and power production 
• Maintain support for the renewable energy portfolio standard of 22.5 percent of energy from renewable sources by 2021

Click here for a copy of the final 'Energy Master Plan'

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BPU Moves Forward With Prevailing-Wage Regulations

The Board of Public Utilities is moving forward with proposed regulations to comply with legislation enacted last summer requiring prevailing wages on Green Energy Projects Including Energy efficient lighting, HVAC and even Insulation projects receiving financial assistance from the agency.

Unions claim it levels the playing field for Contractors using union labor. The Democrat controled Senate and Assemby backed by union money and controlled by Legislators who themselves are union members railroaded the legislation through in the lame duck session after the November election of Governor Chris Christie.

The reality is that excesive union wages and egregious union benefits are responsible for a union contractors inability to compete. An average Merit Shop Solar Installer earns $25 to $30 per hour, but with prevailing wage it could run as high as $94+ per hour including the mandated $36+ per hour benefit portion of the wage. Find Prevailing Wage Rates in your area Here

The requirement does not apply to projects that rely on developer funding and solar energy renewable certificates. 

Given the opposition from business interests, it remains to be seen whether the rule, promoted by the failed Corzine administration, will survive the 90-day review period for all pending state regulations Gov. Chris Christie promised during the campaign.

New Jersey Solar Rebate Program Crashes

Last week, New Jersey ran out of four months' worth of Solar Rebates in a day. Less money was available than originally budgeted for in December because Gov. Chris Christie was forced to take $158 million from the Clean Energy Fund to help close an unprecedented $11 billion state budget gap created by this current Legislature and past Adminstrations.

More than 1,000 people, including contractors camped out the night before to claim a portion of the $6 million in residential and $1.5 million in non-residential one-time rebates when the Office of Clean Energy opened on May 3.

The Board of Public Utilities closed the normally four-month distribution period until the next scheduled disbursement Sept. 1

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Bill Gates & Toshiba Team Up To Develop Small Scale Nuclear Reactor

A company backed by Microsoft founder Bill Gates and Toshiba are in early talks to jointly develop a small nuclear reactor. Gates will team up with Toshiba to develop a compact next-generation reactor that can operate for up to 100 years without refueling to provide emission-free energy.
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