New Jersey Considers Doubling RPS Mandate

 

November 29, 2005

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) currently is considering modifications to the state's existing Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS). The proposed amendments would increase the state's RPS percentage of Class 1 (solar, wind, sustainable biomass) to 20 percent by the year 2020 from the current requirement of 4 percent by 2008. The proposal also would require that 2 percent of this amount come from solar electric systems.

The economic impact of this proposed increase was evaluated by the Center for Energy, Economic and Environmental Policy (CEEEP) -- at Rutgers' Bloustein School -- that determined it would have "a negligible impact on the growth of our economy and will result in a less than 2 percent increase in electric rates over 20 years." They further reported that "This proposal would keep New Jersey as a national leader in the development of renewable energy."

The RPS proposal is part of the re-adoption of Chapter 4 (Energy) of the NJBPU's regulations. The proposed rule change can be found on the NJBPU website that follows this article.

After being published in the New Jersey Register on October 17, a 60-day public comment period that extends though December 16th is provided. A public hearing on the proposed rule changes will be held on December 6 at 10 a.m., Board Hearing Room, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, Eighth Floor, Two Gateway Center, Newark, NJ 07102.

Written comments must be submitted by December 16, 2006 to the following address: Kristi Izzo, Secretary, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, Attn: BPU Docket Number EX05080733, Two Gateway Center, Newark, NJ 07102.