To the editor:
New Jersey’s energy future is at risk and the impacts of climate
change are already threatening our state. Currently, we are at a cross´
roads, as the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) prepares the
state’s energy master plan (EMP). It is up to the BPU to listen to the
public and develop an EMP that is in the best interest of all.
I believe that our energy choices drive our economic future. We
need to move from dirty fuel sources to clean energy and invest more
in energy efficiency.
All around the nation, we see how clean energy is taking us for´
ward: it reduces air pollution, improves health outcomes, it’s affordable
and it creates jobs.
New Jersey’s EMP can provide us with the opportunity to make
clean energy a priority — as well as energy efficiency. Adopting bind´
ing and ambitious energy savings standards will have the biggest im´
pact on reducing carbon pollution while strengthening our economy
and saving money for families and businesses.
I encourage BPU to create a forward-looking plan that incorporates
moving from coal to clean energy and investing in energy efficiency
solutions, so that New Jersey can position itself as a leader.
Daniel R. Benson
Assemblyman
14th District
