Lampitt, Chivukula, Wagner, Vainieri Huttle, Pou, Greenstein Bill to Permit Wind and Solar Facilities in Industrial Zone Advance

LAMPITT/CHIVUKULA/WAGNER/VAINIERI HUTTLE/POU/GREENSTEIN BILL TO PERMIT WIND AND SOLAR FACILITIES IN INDUSTRIAL ZONE ADVANCES

(TRENTON) - Legislation sponsored by Assembly members Pamela R. Lampitt, Upendra Chivukula, Connie Wagner, Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Nellie Pou and Linda R. Greenstein to permit wind and solar facilities in industrial zones was approved by the Senate.

The bill passed the Assembly 60-15 in October, and an amended version was approved 36-3 by the Senate on Monday. It now returns to the Assembly for final legislative approval.

This bill would permit the location of certain renewable energy facilities in areas zoned for industrial use. The bill defines renewable energy facility as a facility that produces electric energy from solar technologies, photovoltaic technologies or wind energy.

"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 (D-Camden). "Actively promoting the expansion of alternative energy can be a win for families, 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.

"This is an environmentally smart way to reinvigorate our economy and save money through renewable energy," said Chivukula (D-Somerset).  "It makes sense on many levels and positions New Jersey for a strong future."

"This will help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and redevelop industrial zones struggling in this global economic recession," said Wagner (D-Bergen). "It's smart environmentally and it's smart fiscally."

"New Jersey should be encouraging renewable energy as we look to position our state to emerge strong from this global economic meltdown," said Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen). "This helps do just that, and  is a sound approach that will help benefit generations to come."

"Many industrial areas need our help, and this is a sensible way to accomplish that while promoting renewable energy that  is clearly the wave of the future," said Pou (D-Passaic). "This approach will create jobs, help us save money and set us up to thrive once this global meltdown is over."

"This bill will help boost our economy, help struggling industrial neighborhoods and promote renewable energy that will help end our reliance on foreign oil," said Greenstein (D-Middlesex/Mercer). "It's smart policy all the way around."

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