NJ Energy Master Plan
The New Jersey Board of
Public Utilities has requested comments on updates to New Jersey’s Energy
Master Plan, which lays out a strategic vision for the State’s energy future. COA
urged a wide scale implementation of conservation and efficiency measures as
NJ’s first energy choice. They are
the most cost effective, environmentally friendly choice, and studies have
shown can dramatically reduce energy usage. NJ has fallen behind in the transition
to clean energy, and a revised Energy Master Plan is a first step in making our
state a leader in this field once again. More should be done to implement renewable
energy technologies to replace outdated power plants, especially the Oyster
Creek nuclear power plant, scheduled to close in 2019, and BL England, a
part-time coal plant that is seeking to retrofit to full-time natural gas with
a once through cooling system. COA is
also encouraging a renewed commitment to protecting NJ’s critical energy
infrastructure from the effects of climate change and sea level rise.
Pinelands Pipeline and B.L. England
Related to New Jersey’s energy
future, on Friday, August 14, the Pinelands Commission issued a “certificate of
filing” for the South Jersey Gas pipeline, essentially approving the controversial
project without a vote by the Pinelands Commission. The pipeline would run through the Pinelands
and its watershed habitat to the B.L. England Power Plant that is being
retrofitted to switch from a part-time plant to a full-time 24/7 power plant burning
natural gas. However, studies and some
analyses show that the plant is not needed and that there is more than enough
energy available. Of great concern to
marine life is that the plant has a once through cooling system and will withdraw
water from Great Egg Harbor Bay for energy generation and cooling purposes. COA and others were party to litigation to halt
the water withdrawals led by Super Law Group, but were ultimately unsuccessful. COA will keep you posted on this growing threat.
Salem Nuclear Generating Station
Similarly, COA is supporting
Delaware Riverkeeper’s lead efforts to stop NJDEP’s recently issued permit renewal
for the Salem Nuclear Generating Station that will allow continued water
withdrawal and thermal discharge to the Delaware River. Under this renewed
permit, Salem Nuclear Power Plant will continue to kill billions of fish and
aquatic species each year, as it withdraws over 3 billion gallons of water per
day, crushing larger organisms against screens and entraining anything small
enough to get through the screens. NJDEP should have required cooling towers to
be built by Exelon
Generation LLC., the owners of the
plant, which would reduce fish kills by 95%. If you would like to speak out
against the NJDEP’s decision to continue to allow this destruction of Delaware
Bay, email susan.rosenwinkel@dep.nj.gov, and tell her that
Salem Nuclear Power Plant should end this fish slaughter, and be required to
build cooling towers.
