New Jersey charges three energy suppliers with fraud

The state of New Jersey yesterday sought to crack down on unscrupulous alternative energy suppliers who allegedly defrauded customers by telling them they would save money if they switched from their utilities only to see their electric and gas bills skyrocket.

NJ Spotlight reports today:
In three separate civil complaints filed by the Attorney General’s Office, the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, and the state Board of Public Utilities, three third-party suppliers were accused of using misleading and deceptive marketing to urge customers to switch suppliers by offering guaranteed savings.
What those customers typically ended up with, in fact, were huge spikes in their electric and gas bills.
“These three companies allegedly lured consumers with promised monthly savings that turned out to be fictional,’’ said acting Attorney General John Hoffman at a press conference in the Justice Complex in Trenton. “Even worse, consumers who hoped to save money instead saw their bills increase to unconscionable levels.’’

Read the full story here 
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Legislation in Pa would reduce size of government

Pennsylvania Capitol - StateImpact photo

The Senate State Government Committee advanced two bills today that would reduce the size of the General Assembly, eliminate the office of Lieutenant Governor, and reduce the size of the Pennsylvania Supreme and Superior courts, according to The PLS Reporter.

House Bill 1234, introduced by House Speaker Sam Smith (R-Jefferson), would reduce the size of the House of Representatives from 203 to 155 members. The bill cleared the committee unanimously and without amendment.
According to House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny), the bill’s passage this session is a major priority of the House and they requested the Senate take up the matter.
“That’s one of our top priorities in terms of needed reforms,” he told The PLS Reporter. “We asked the Senate to give those constitutional amendments serious consideration and we’d like to see them passed.”
Chairman Lloyd Smucker (R-Lancaster) noted the change to the size of the House puts Pennsylvania closer to the median size of Houses of Representatives in states across the country, which he pointed out sits at around 100 members.
Minority Chairman Matt Smith (D-Allegheny) added the proposal has broad bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate and could save $10 million to $15 million.
Not all members were so sure this was the best reform plan, but they voted in favor of the reduction legislation to move the process along, and later give Pennsylvanians a voice in amending the constitution.
  

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How the media is reporting new EPA carbon rule


In what the Associated Press calls a "sweeping initiative to curb pollutants blamed for global warming," the Obama Administration today unveiled a plan aimed at cutting carbon dioxide emissions from power plants by nearly a third by 2030.  It also delays the deadline for some states to begin complying.

Here’s some early coverage of the announcement by the Environmental Protection Agency

EPA Sets Draft Rule to Cut Carbon Emissions by 30% by 2030 – Wall Street Journal
The Environmental Protection Agency on Monday released a draft rule to regulate carbon emissions from hundreds of fossil-fired power plants

Read more …

Everything you need to know about the EPA’s proposed rule – Washington Post
The Environmental Protection Agency on Monday proposed a rule designed to cut carbon dioxide emissions from existing coal plants by as much as 30 percent.

Obama unveils historic rules to reduce coal pollution by 30% – The Guardian

The Obama administration unveiled historic environment rules cutting carbon pollution from power plants by 30% on Monday, spurring prospects for a global deal to end …

Read more …

Wonkbook: Why Obama’s new climate rule matters – Washington Post (blog)
"The new pollution rule…will be a cornerstone of President Barack Obama’s environmental legacy and arguably the most significant U.S. environmental regulation …

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Obama administration targets coal with controversial emissions
Fox News.com. The Obama administration took aim at the coal industry on Monday by mandating a 30 percent cut in carbon emissions at fossil fuel-burning power plants by 2030 — despite claims the regulation will cost nearly …

Big Power-Plant Pollution Cuts Are Ordered – ABC News

Obama seeks 30 percent cuts in power plants’ carbon pollution – Politico

Obama’s big move on climate change to receive muted support abroad -The Voice of Russia

Obama taking a cue from Maryland on climate – Baltimore Sun

Reaction to Obama Administration Carbon Emissions Proposal…The Caucus blog/NY Times

Barack Obama’s emissions plan comes under new line of attack … Recent Posts:

Mercury site defendants liable for $6.13 M cleanup in NJ
Third-party energy suppliers face more scrutiny in NJ  
Drexel students seek funding for solar-powered chargers   
Toll Brothers homebuilding profits come roaring back 

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Energy and Enviro Bills in NJ Legislature Thursday


It will be a busy day on Thursday in Trenton with more than a dozen committees meeting throughout the day. 

The most important of those, for readers of this blog, are the Senate Environment and Energy Committee and the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee.

Below are their agendas.

SENATE ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY
6/05/14 10:00 AM
Committee Room 10, 3rd Floor, State House Annex, Trenton, NJ

[The committee will hear S-2025, prohibiting development over 35 feet in
the Palisades viewshed, at 11:30 AM.]
S-1050  Smith, B. (D-17)
Extends expiration date of special appraisal process
for farmland preservation program from 2014 to 2019 for lands in Highlands
Region.
  
S-1138  Codey, R.J. (D-27)
Allows installation of solar arrays by municipalities
on preserved open space in certain circumstances.
      
S-2025  Smith, B. (D-17); Bateman, C. (R-16)
Prohibits development over 35 feet in height in Hudson
River Palisades viewshed.
Related Bill: A-3183
     
S-2121  Whelan, J. (D-2); Oroho, S.V. (R-24)
Establishes Equipment Loan Program in NJ Environmental
Infrastructure Trust; changes submission and approval requirements for
financial plan.
Related Bill: A-3266
      
S-2122  Van Drew, J. (D-1); Beck, J. (R-11)
Appropriates funds to DEP for environmental
infrastructure projects for FY2015.
Related Bill: A-3264
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S-2123  Gordon, R.M. (D-38); Thompson, S.D. (R-12)
Authorizes New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure
Trust to expand certain sums to make loans for environmental infrastructure
projects for FY2015.
SCR-117  Smith, B. (D-17); Bateman, C. (R-16)
Approves FY 2015 Financial Plan of NJ Environmental
Infrastructure Trust.
Related Bill: ACR-157
     
SR-72  Smith, B. (D-17)
Urges rejection of seismic blasting plans in Atlantic
Ocean near Barnegat Bay.
     
SR-73  Smith, B. (D-17)
Opposes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sand mining
project at Manasquan Bridge near Axel Carson Artificial Reef.
   
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ASSEMBLY TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND UTILITIES
6/05/14 10:00 AM
Committee Room 9, 3rd Floor, State House Annex, Trenton, NJ
A-1421  Chivukula, U.J. (D-17); Eustace, T.J. (D-38)
Enhances retail competition in electric power and gas
supply industries.
      
A-2586  DeAngelo, W.P. (D-14); Quijano, A. (D-20)
Establishes “Energy Infrastructure Study
Commission.”
Related Bill: S-1796
     
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A-3122  Burzichelli, J.J. (D-3); Eustace, T.J.
(D-38); Mazzeo, V. (D-2)
Requires funds collected through societal benefits
charge not allocated or spent for at least one year be credited to electric and
gas public utility customers.
     
 A-3272  Chivukula, U.J. (D-17)
Requires written contract between customers and
third-party electric power and gas suppliers.
     
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Recent Posts:  
Mercury site defendants liable for $6.13 M cleanup in NJ 
Third-party energy suppliers face more scrutiny in NJ  
Drexel students seek funding for solar-powered chargers   
Toll Brothers homebuilding profits come roaring back 

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Jersey won’t be sweating upcoming EPA carbon rule

NJ’s power industry cut carbon emissions 27 percent between 2005-2012

 

"President Obama is expected to unveil an unprecedented plan on Monday to cut greenhouse gas emissions from the nation’s coal- and gas-burning power plants —
many of whose provisions are already in effect in New Jersey, "James M. O’Neill
reports in The Record.

The state, which already has one of the nation’s cleanest fleets of power-generating plants, is not expected to face a major challenge meeting whatever emissions cuts are in it, environmental and business representatives predicted.

“We’ve felt comfortable all along with this, because New Jersey is one of the cleanest power sectors in the country,” said Bob Marshall, the state Department of Environmental Protection’s assistant commissioner for sustainability and green energy. “We’re already way ahead of most other states.”

Sara Bluhm, the vice president for energy and environment of the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, agreed. “Our electric-generation sector is in good shape to deal with any new emissions rules involving coal,” she said.

At the same time, as a coastal state that is already feeling the impact of climate change — from sea-level rise to more-intense storms — New Jersey would benefit from efforts to reduce the greenhouse gases responsible for climate change.

Read the full story here 

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Mercury site defendants liable for $6.13M cleanup in NJ


                               Kiddie Kollege site following demolition – SJ Times photo

The Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey informs its members today that:

Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman announced a significant legal victory for the State’s environmental protection efforts earlier this week.

A Superior Court Judge found multiple defendants liable for a total of $6.13 million to cover the cost of cleaning up mercury contamination at the site of Kiddie Kollege, a former day care center in Franklin Township, Gloucester County.

Superior Court Judge Anne McDonnell found that, despite their denials of legal responsibility, current property owner Jim Sullivan Inc., former owner the Navillus Group, and other “Sullivan Defendants” are liable for costs related to the clean-up and removal of mercury discharged by a thermometer-making factory located on the property before Sullivan bought it and leased it for use as a day care site.

Also legally responsible for clean-up costs are previous property owner Philip J. Giuliano and the now-defunct thermometer manufacturing company he owned, Accutherm, Inc.

According to the Court’s ruling, all defendants share a total liability of $2.04 million for the Kiddie Kollege property remediation, but Giuliano and Accutherm are liable for an additional $4.09 million because they failed to comply with a Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) directive that they clean up the original contamination caused by their unlawful discharge of mercury at the site.

Related environmental news story:

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