■ Environmental Business
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Dewberry By Doug Sullivan , Senior Associate , Northeast Environmental Dept . Manager
In 2019 , New Jersey issued the
Energy Master Plan ( EMP ) to address the threat of global climate change and to achieve Governor Phil Murphy ’ s clean energy goals by 2050 . The EMP has seven main strategies to reach the goals of 100 percent clean energy and 80 percent emissions reductions from 2006 levels . Two of these strategies include reducing energy consumption and emissions from the transportation sector ; and accelerating deployment of renewable energy and distributed energy resources ( DER ). The EMP outlines some steps that can be taken to reduce emissions in the transportation sector . A primary step is electrification , which includes electric vehicle ( EV ) adoption and deployment of EV charging infrastructure throughout the state . This approach can be supplemented by alternative fuel technologies , reduction in vehicle miles traveled and reduction in port emissions . Regarding the accelerated deployment of renewable energy , Governor Murphy has outlined a goal of building 7,500 megawatts of offshore wind by 2035 . Succeeding in this area will require increased port facilities , improvements
to the electric grid infrastructure , development of a qualified workforce and other supply chain improvements . While developing solutions to achieve the goals outlined in the EMP , stakeholders need to consider how to effectively transition away from natural gas .
Greenbaum , Rowe , Smith & Davis LLP By Barbara J . Koonz , Esq ., Partner , Chair , Energy , Renewable Resources & Sustainable Development Practice Group
The New Jersey Community Solar Program presents a unique opportunity for commercial property owners to earn additional revenue from the lease of rooftops to community solar providers . The New Jersey Energy Master Plan ( EMP ) provides that by 2050 , the state shall satisfy 100 percent of its energy needs through clean energy sources . A key component to achieving that ambitious goal is the widespread utilization of New Jersey ’ s commercial rooftops for the installation of solar . Under the Community Solar Program , residential and commercial customers that lack sufficient space to install solar can enter into a subscriber agreement with a solar provider to purchase electricity generated at remote locations . The program recognizes that commercial rooftops are ideal locations for siting Community Solar projects . Solar providers enter into rooftop leases with rental payments tied to rooftop square footage or the capacity of the solar facility . The leases are subject to negotiation . Property owners need to be careful that lease terms ensure the solar installation does not damage the rooftop , that access to the rooftop area is not impaired and that there are no unreasonable penalties in the event of a default . Applications for this year ’ s Community Solar Program are due Feb . 5 , 2021 .
Solar power use in New Jersey will continue to increase , as new incentives become available .
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