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Continued From Page 22 think was a major endorsement of New Jersey ’ s wind program ,” Gordon said .
Turning to solar power , the commissioner noted the state solar energy program is more than 10 years old and already accounts for the installation of more than 170,000 solar units that created 6,000 jobs .
While the program propelled New Jersey as a leader in the industry , Gordon said it was very expensive and has been replaced with a more affordable ones . The Successor Solar Incentive Program , known as SuSi , seeks to double the state ’ s solar capacity to 7 percent . It allows the BPU to award incentives for small projects , like solar installations on rooftops and parking lots . Gordon said his agency also wants to offer incentives for larger projects but these will rely on market-established incentive levels . The BPU is working with stakeholders to design the second program now and Gordon said it will be rolled out later this year .
In the meantime , there is a community solar initiative that allows anyone to reap the benefits of solar energy regardless of whether they own a home or a commercial building . Gordon compared this program to a real estate syndicate where an interested party would invest in a project and get a percentage interest in it .
A pilot program was launched in low- and moderate-income communities three years ago , allowing a ratepayer to subscribe to a project and based on the size of the subscription get a credit against his or her bill . The BPU awarded 165 megawatts to 105 projects in the first two years of the program . Gordon said it proved so successful it is now a permanent program .
“[ Offshore Wind ] is the most exciting because we have an opportunity to create a whole new industry and thousands of jobs …. I believe we can make New Jersey the very center of the wind industry for the entire Atlantic seaboard .”
Electric vehicles are another critical part of the state ’ s energy master plan . Studies have shown that more than 40 percent of the greenhouse gases polluting the atmosphere are derived by the petroleum-fueled transportation network . Murphy ’ s ambitious goal is to put 330,000 electric vehicles on the roads by 2025 .
New Jersey ' s solar has added already created 6,000 jobs .
The governor is relying on a two-pronged approach to meet his goal : Offer financial incentives and promote the development of the charging infrastructure to expand the range of electric vehicle cars .
In 2020 the BPU launched its “ Charge Up New Jersey ” program offering “ cash on the hood ” incentives to buy eligible zero-emission vehicles . In the last two years the program helped in the purchase of 13,000 cars . The incentives will continue and they will be supplemented by federal dollars being allocated in the new Inflation Reduction Act being approved by Congress .
Gordon said in promoting the charging infrastructure , the state is using a “ shared responsibility ” model . New Jersey expects the utilities to provide the “ backbone ” for the system , and private companies to supply the equipment . More information on all BPU programs can be found on its website : nj . gov / bpu
Photo : Getty Images / iStockphoto / MAXSHOT
Offshore Wind Farm
Photo : Getty Images / iStockphoto / Pareto
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