New Jersey releases draft energy master plan

The State of New Jersey released the Draft 2019 Energy Master Plan (EMP), which sets the goal of having 100 percent clean energy by 2050.

The plan was developed by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU), in collaboration with New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA), and the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA).

“The Draft Energy Master Plan is a comprehensive roadmap toward achieving our goal of a 100 percent clean energy economy by 2050,” N.J. Gov. Phil Murphy said. “The strategies set forth in this draft plan will foster economic growth by creating thousands of jobs in New Jersey’s energy, building, and transportation sectors. Today’s draft plan is a critical step forward in reducing the effects of climate change and securing our state’s clean energy future for the benefit of all New Jerseyans and for generations to come.”

The plan features a broader scope than previous versions and features seven strategies that will guide the state to reach the 100 percent clean energy goal.

“Just as we have delivered on our many other clean energy commitments, we are proud to put forth this comprehensive draft plan today, which reflects input from hundreds of stakeholders. I am confident that it will serve as a roadmap to building a cleaner, healthier, more sustainable energy future for our state to establish the lowest cost pathway to 100 percent clean energy by 2050,” NJBPU President Joseph Fiordaliso said.

The seven strategies include reducing energy consumption and emissions from the transportation sector, accelerating deployment of renewable energy and distributed energy resources with a focus on historically underserved populations, maximizing energy efficiency and conservation and reducing peak demand, reducing energy use and emissions from the building sector, modernizing the grid and utility infrastructure, supporting community energy planning and action in underserved communities, and expanding the clean energy innovation economy.

“Climate change is already impacting our way of life in New Jersey. The actions we take today will impact New Jerseyans for generations to come,” DEP Commissioner Catherine McCabe said. “Today’s publication of the Draft Energy Master Plan is an important step forward to ensure New Jersey achieves the Governor’s goal of 100 percent clean energy by 2050. We look forward to working with NJBPU, other state agencies and all of New Jersey in this effort. Together, we can lead the nation in responding to and mitigating the impacts of climate change.”

NJBPU will host public meetings in July, August, and September to collect feedback from stakeholders on the plan. Comments can also be submitted comments via email to emp.comments@bpu.nj.gov with the Subject Line “2019 Draft Energy Master Plan.”