VAN DREW, ALBANO AND MILAM URGE CORZINE AND REGULATORS TO PURSUE NJ BUSINESSES FOR WIND FARMS

Proposal for Small Wind Farm – 8 Turbines – Within NJ Waters Could Make State First in Nation to Harvest Off-Shore Wind Energy

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – First District Legislators, Senator Jeff Van Drew and Assemblymen Nelson Albano and Matthew Milam, today applauded Governor Corzine’s calls for triple the energy output to be produced by offshore wind farms by the year 2020, and urged State regulators to consider wind farm proposals from local businesses as part of the State’s renewable energy solution.

“Governor Corzine’s plans for the role of off-shore wind energy in New Jersey are going to have nation-wide and world-wide implications,” said Senator Van Drew. “If this is done the right way, it could be a great economic opportunity for South Jersey, and New Jersey will be the first-in-the-world to harvest significant amounts of energy from off-shore wind farms. However, to make these plans – and the Governor’s energy goals – a reality, we’re going to have to reach a critical mass, and open this up to other bidders.”

(Mt. Laurel, NJ) – John Adler, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Congress in New Jersey’s 3rd District, unveiled his plan today to break our nation’s grip on foreign oil.

SMITH BILL TO ENCOURAGE MUNICIPALITIES TO THINK GREEN SIGNED INTO LAW

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Bob Smith which allows municipal planning boards to consider environmental sustainability and green buildings in creating their municipal master plans was signed into law yesterday by Governor Corzine.

“As more and more State residents are becoming aware of terms like ‘carbon footprint’ and making environmentally-conscious decisions, it’s time local government followed suit,” said Senator Smith, D-Middlesex, the Chair of the Senate Environment Committee. “We need to set the example for our constituents that environmentalism and progress are not mutually-exclusive. By giving municipalities more latitude in going green when making zoning plans for the future, we can send a strong message to State residents about the importance of protecting our shared environment.”

Businesses and Homeowners Would Benefit From Tax Exemption

Legislation sponsored by Senator Christopher "Kip" Bateman (R-16) and Senator Phil Haines (R-8) that uses tax breaks to encourage the use of renewable energy sources was unanimously passed by the State Senate today.

GREENSTEIN/WATSON COLEMAN/LAMPITT BILL
TO PROMOTE SOLAR ENERGY CLEARS ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE

Measure Would Give New Home Buyers Option for Solar Energy Panels 

(TRENTON) - The Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee today released a measure Assemblywomen Linda R. Greenstein, Bonnie Watson Coleman and Pamela R. Lampitt sponsored that would promote energy efficiency through the installation of solar energy panels in new homes.

ADLER-SMITH BILL TO EXEMPT RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS FROM PROPERTY TAXES APPROVED IN SENATE

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators John H. Adler and Bob Smith which would exempt renewable energy systems, such as solar panels, from local property taxes was approved today by the Senate by a vote of 37-0.

“With skyrocketing fuel and energy costs, renewable energy is about more than just saving the environment,” said Senator Adler, D-Cherry Hill. “We should encourage more New Jersey families to turn to solar panels, and make sure that people can afford to go green.”

SMITH RENEWABLE ENERGY PACKAGE APPROVED IN COMMITTEE

TRENTON – A package of bills sponsored by Senator Bob Smith which would promote renewable energy throughout the State of New Jersey was unanimously approved by the Senate Economic Growth Committee today.

“As fuel prices soar, and it’s becoming more and more expensive to keep our homes cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, we need to look to alternative energy to offset our needs,” said Senator Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset, the Chair of the Senate Environment Committee. “Everyone in the State should be able to take advantage of renewable energy systems, not just the wealthy elite who can afford home installation. We need to clear obstacles to renewable energy generation facilities, and ensure that we make a Statewide push for cleaner, cheaper energy which moves us away from our dependency on foreign oil and older, environmentally-damaging technology.”

PREVIEW - SENATE COMMITTEES TO CONSIDER RENEWABLE ENERGY, SPORTS BETTING BILLS MONDAY

On Monday, May 19, Senate committees are scheduled to meet to consider a variety of measures to support renewable energy, and discuss legislation to allow sports betting in New Jersey.

At 1:00 PM in Committee Room 1 in the Statehouse Annex, the Senate Economic Growth Committee will hear a pair of bills, sponsored by Senator Bob Smith, D-Middlesex, to allow wind turbine and solar energy facilities to be located in industrial zones or on preserved farms. According to the bill sponsor, the measures, S-1299 and S-1538, are intended to ensure that the entire State has access to renewable energy generation, and not just areas along the shore which have taken advantage of off-shore turbines.

CHIVUKULA: NJ NEEDS ROAD MAP TO BRIGHTER ENERGY FUTURE

Businesses, Consumers Should Participate in Moving State's Energy Policy into 21st Century, Says Chair of Assembly Telecom and Utilities Committee

(TRENTON) - Assemblyman Upendra J. Chivukula, chair of the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee, today said the long-awaited release of the administration's draft energy master plan is the first step to enacting a far-reaching energy strategy for the state and its energy needs through 2020.

Medford Mayor and Third District Congressional Candidate Chris Myers today took issue with a “new” energy plan offered today by Sen. John Adler of Camden County, that may have been a recycled GOP idea.