'GREEN JOBS,' RATEPAYER PROTECTIONS TO BE FOCUS OF MONDAY ASSEMBLY HEARING

'GREEN JOBS,' RATEPAYER PROTECTIONS TO BE FOCUS
OF MONDAY ASSEMBLY HEARING
Assembly Utilities and Environment Panels to Explore Impact of Markets on Residents,
Potential for Alternative Energy to Cut Prices and Grow Jobs

(TRENTON) - Ensuring that New Jersey ratepayers affected by the national economic crisis will be able to afford home heating bills this winter, and exploring alternative ways to meet the state's energy needs while creating new jobs will be the focus of a Monday morning joint meeting of the Assembly's Telecommunications and Utilities and Environment and Solid Waste Committees.

The rare joint hearing is one of four such meetings taking place as the Assembly investigates how New Jersey can emerge strong from the national economic crisis.

"With cold weather approaching, the national upheaval could not have come at a worse time for consumers," said Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula (D-Somerset), chairman of the utilities panel. "We must ensure that New Jerseyans across the spectrum will be able to literally weather this economic crisis while keeping an eye on the emerging technologies that can fuel the state in the future."

Tomorrow, the state Board of Public Utilities - which will testify at the hearing - is expected to vote on a proposed 14.3 percent natural gas rate hike from PSE&G. The regulatory agency also is expected to discuss a proposal for the construction of an offshore wind-energy "farm" in Atlantic County.

"With prices for natural gas and oil continually climbing, now is the time to look at whether non-traditional sources of energy can help stabilize or even lower utility bills for residents and businesses," said Assemblyman John McKeon (D-Essex), the Environment and Solid Waste Committee chair. "The current crisis presents an opportunity for us to collectively plan for our long-term energy needs."

The Telecommunications and Utilities Committee is expected to consider two measures. One bill (A-843) - sponsored by Chivukula and Assemblywoman Marcia Karrow (R-Hunterdon/Warren) - would provide equal opportunity for businesses to receive energy-related incentives and funding. The other measure (A-2550) would permit wind and solar facilities to be constructed in areas zoned for industrial use; the bill is sponsored by Assemblywoman Pam Lampitt (D-Camden), Chivukula, and Assemblywoman Connie Wagner (D-Bergen).

"We need to stop looking at wind and solar power as novelties and start viewing them as a viable, home-grown energy industry that can create new jobs here in New Jersey," said Lampitt, who is spearheading an effort along with Assembly members Wayne DeAngelo (D-Mercer) and Grace Spencer (D-Essex) to make the state a magnet in the burgeoning "green jobs" movement. "Actively promoting the expansion of alternative energy can be a win for ratepayers, a win for the economy and a win for the environment."

According to a study by the Center for American Progress and the Political Economy Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts, New Jersey could create as many as 57,228 new jobs in the fields of solar, wind and other alternative energies.

The joint committee hearing is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. in Committee Room 16, State House Annex, West State Street, Trenton.

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