NJBPU convenes inaugural 2019 Energy Master Plan Committee

New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) President Joseph L. Fiordaliso convened the inaugural meeting of the Energy Master Plan (EMP) Committee on Monday.

The committee is tasked with developing a plan to achieve 100 percent clean energy production in the state by 2050. Under a May 23 order signed by Gov. Phil Murphy, NJBPU will lead the EMP committee, which will deliver the new Energy Master Plan by June 1, 2019.

“NJBPU is thrilled to spearhead the development of the 2019 EMP that will encompass Governor Murphy’s clean energy policy goals and directives,” Fiordaliso said. “We are already hard at work on initiatives like offshore wind to ensure we are on track to meet the Governor’s strategic vision to achieve 100 percent clean energy sources by 2050.”

The committee determined that the 2019 EMP would provide a comprehensive guide to the use, management and development of energy in the state and identified five main focus areas: Clean Energy; Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure; Affordability and Energy Efficiency; Clean and Reliable Transportation; and Building a Modern Grid.

The EMP Committee is chaired by NJBPU Chief of Staff Grace Strom Power and includes senior staff designees from the Department of Community Affairs, Economic Development Authority, Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Health, Department of Human Services, Department of Transportation, Department of Labor and Workforce Development and Department of the Treasury.

“Through the Energy Master Plan, the Administration is getting to work on fulfilling a critical promise to foster our state’s clean energy future and confront climate change head on,” Murphy said. “This plan will advance our energy goals and cultivate a strong clean energy economy to meet the needs of all New Jersey residents. Investments in a clean energy economy also mean growth of new industry, a change that will create jobs and new opportunities for skilled workers.”