GREENSTEIN/DeANGELO CALL ON BPU TO ADDRESS HIGH RATES PAID BY ALL-ELECTRIC HOMEOWNERS

Legislators Request Audit of JCP&L, Diagnostic Home Efficiency Testing, Zero-interest Loans, and Set Rates for Fixed Income Seniors

(14th Legislative District) - Assembly members Linda R. Greenstein and Wayne P. DeAngelo today sought the assistance of the state Board of Public Utilities to uncover the cause of exorbitantly high rates in all-electric homes in Monroe Township, Middlesex County.  Many homeowners typically pay between $600 and $900 per month in electric costs to Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L).

RUIZ-GORDON BILL TO AUTHORIZE ENERGY COST SAVINGS INVESTMENT BY BPU SIGNED INTO LAW

PISCATAWAY – A bill sponsored by Senators Teresa Ruiz and Bob Gordon which authorizes the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to invest in energy cost savings programs for industrial and commercial energy consumers was signed into law today by Governor Corzine at a public bill signing ceremony at the Busch Cogeneration Facility at Rutgers University’s Busch campus.

“Clean, renewable energy and co-generation grants make New Jersey much more attractive to business investors and represent the future in environmentally-friendly energy production,” said Senator Ruiz, D-Essex and Union, and a member of the Senate Economic Growth Committee. “Particularly as we work to encourage businesses to locate to the Garden State, these programs will reduce our carbon footprint and lower energy costs for consumers across the board. I applaud the Governor for working with us to promote energy alternatives and for making New Jersey a national leader in low-impact energy production which will revitalize our economy and preserve our natural resources for future generations.”

The Senate Judiciary Committee will consider the nomination of Jeanne Fox for another term as President of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.  There is no longer much drama with this nomination: Republican Judiciary Committee members are likely to vote against her, but Fox has the votes from the Democratic majority for Senate confirmation.

If Democrats lose the 2009 gubernatorial election, the new Republican Governor would be able to designate one of the Republican Commissioners to serve as President.  BPU Commissioners serve six year terms, and traditionally the party that controls the governorship gets three of the five seats. 

One of the three Democratic Commissioners, Frederick Butler, a former Executive Director of the Assembly Democratic Office, is up for reappointment in June 2009.  For Republicans to take control of the BPU next January, Republican State Sen. Christopher Bateman would need to block the nomination of Butler, a Belle Mead resident, for the remainder of the legislative session.  Short of a resignation, that would give a Republican Governor a chance to make his own appointment.

TRENTON – Senate Majority Leader Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem) is calling on his colleagues in the Senate Judiciary Committee to support the re-nomination of Jeanne Fox as President of the state Board of Public Utilities.

“Ms. Fox shows the leadership that will be necessary to move New Jersey toward renewable energy and other important energy and utility issues facing our state,” Senator Sweeney said. “Her extensive experience as an outstanding public servant is an asset to the State of New Jersey.”

The dismissal of a lawsuit by a whistleblower doesn't lessen the impact of evidence showing mismanagement and political motivated maneuvering at the Board of Public Utilities under President Jeanne Fox.

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.”

Statement from Senator Jennifer Beck (R-12) on the hung jury in the BPU whistleblower trial:

"While a jury may have been divided on whether Jeanne Fox retaliated against an employee who identified mismanagement at the BPU, the State Auditor and Treasury Department have confirmed in no uncertain terms the vastness of her mismanagement. It's time for Chairman Adler to end this circus and her tenure of mismanagement."

Reconfirmation Hearings Would Focus on General (Mis-)Management and Whistleblower Trial

Senator Jennifer Beck (R-12), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called on Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman John Adler (D-6) to commence the long-delayed reconfirmation hearing of New Jersey Board of Public Utilities President Jeanne Fox.

Continues Call for Corzine to Find Better Candidate to Lead BPU

Senator Jennifer Beck (R-12) is continuing her call for Governor Jon Corzine to nominate a person with experience, knowledge and no political baggage to lead the Board of Public Utilities.

Rudderless BPU Hurts Consumers

Senator Jennifer Beck, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee sent a letter to Governor Jon Corzine today asking him to withdraw his re-appointment of Jeanne Fox to the Board of Public Utilities (BPU). The BPU is the regulatory agency that sets the rates consumers pay for electricity, natural gas, water, telecommunications and cable television. The letter is attached.