TNJ Sustainability & Resilience Toolkit: Sustainability Solutions
Renewable Energy
The state’s energy infrastructure depends heavily on fossil fuels, a non-renewable source. Electricity generation was responsible for almost 21 percent of New Jersey’s greenhouse gases in 2016. It is critical to expand the use of renewable energy, along with improved energy efficiency, right now in order to mitigate the impacts climate change on our communities, region and state. Renewable energy sources have grown significantly in recent years, providing more than five percent of New Jersey’s total electricity generation in 2018. The leading renewable energy sources are solar power and biomass facilities.
Still, there is a long way to go to achieve the state’s goals for greenhouse gas emissions reductions and 100 percent clean energy. Counties and municipalities should help lead the way by promoting and creating opportunities for utility- and small-scale facilities that support renewable energy production and consumption. Counties and municipalities should also raise awareness among property owners of available state incentives. In addition to reducing a community’s carbon footprint, local investment in renewable power can create local jobs and contribute to the development of a clean energy innovation economy. Most importantly, municipalities should reduce overall energy use, a goal addressed by many of the strategies in this toolkit.
Related TNJ Plan Focus Areas
Focus Area 1: Create and retain well-paying jobs by supporting growth in our region’s key industries
Focus Area 4: Align workforce training with industry needs
Focus Area 11: Transition to a clean energy economy
Implementation Strategies
Develop a resilient, modernized electric grid
Develop a resilient, modernized electric grid
Create a reliable grid that curtails peak demand and prevents service interruption.
Start a Government Energy Aggregation program
Start a Government Energy Aggregation program
Form a buying group of electricity accounts to seek bids from renewable energy producers.
Develop production facilities and demo projects
Develop production facilities and demo projects
Use demonstration projects to lower expenses, educate residents and show clean energy support.
Raise awareness of renewable energy options
Raise awareness of renewable energy options
Help residents shop around for energy suppliers and access existing incentives for using renewables.
Revise ordinances to support on-site renewable energy
Revise ordinances to support on-site renewable energy
Revise land use ordinances and streamline permitting and inspection processes.