
Green energy is seeing a heyday in New Jersey.
The state legislature recently handed Governor Chris Christie a dozen bills that would work to create more opportunities for renewable energy resources, energy efficiency projects and other green energy initiatives options.
Four of the bills that Christie has already signed include Chapter 141, which makes landfills and quarries usable areas to build wind and solar energy projects. All areas in the state, besides the Pinelands, can utilize this option.
Chapter 216 creates a credit program for commercial or industrial ratepayers. These credits can be used against the society benefits charge on an electric or natural gas bill, and credit will be equal to one-half the costs acquired by the ratepayer for certain services. However, utilities using Chapter 216 cannot exceed the business' total liability for the societal benefits charge of one calendar year.
The state is also keen on supporting renewable energy research, some of which has great prospects for the economy. According to a report recently released by Environment New Jersey, charging power plants for carbon emissions actually creates jobs rather than hurting employment opportunities. Using figures from the report, Environment New Jersey recently urged the governor to support a bill that would have New Jersey rejoin the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

