EnviroPolitics Blog

NJ reverses course, grants approval to a raft of solar projects

By Tom Johnson, NJ Spotlight News

The state Board of Public Utilities Wednesday approved more than 300 megawatts of solar projects across the state, a big step boosting one of New Jersey’s most important sources of renewable energy and a key component of Gov. Phil Murphy’s clean-energy agenda.

In a solicitation overseen by the BPU, commissioners quickly approved eight projects across seven counties. That outcome marks a complete reversal of a similar proceeding last summer when the agency rejected all bids that had been submitted because they were deemed too expensive.

In Wednesday’s meeting, the board approved eight of 14 bids submitted by developers as well as a project to build 80 megawatts of energy storage capacity, believed to be the largest project of its kind to move forward in New Jersey.

Welcome news for developers, advocates

There was little comment by the board on its vote, but solar developers and clean-energy advocates were thrilled with the decision.

“Overall, I’m pleasantly surprised,’’ said Fred DeSanti, executive director of the New Jersey Solar Energy Coalition. “This is a signal that the New Jersey grid-supply market is very strong.’’

Most of the approvals were for grid supply projects, which are solar systems that are much more cost-effective because of their scale and thus are less expensive to utility customers who wind up supporting the projects on their monthly bills through incentives to the developers.

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Report: 2023 was a record year for wind installations world wide

ASSOCIATED PRESS / April 16, 2024

(AP) — The world installed 117 gigawatts of new wind power capacity in 2023, a 50% increase from the year before, making it the best year for new wind projects on record, according to a new report by the industry’s trade association.

The latest Global Wind Report, published Tuesday by the Global Wind Energy Council, explores the state of the global wind industry and the challenges it’s facing in its expansion.

The increase in wind installations “shows that the world is moving in the right direction in combating climate change,” the report said.

But the authors warned that the wind industry must increase its annual growth to at least 320 gigawatts by 2030 in order to meet the COP28 pledge to triple the world’s installed renewable energy generation capacity by 2030, as well as to meet the Paris Agreement’s ambition of capping global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit).

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If you liked this post, you’ll love our daily environmental newsletter, EnviroPolitics. It’s packed daily with the latest news, commentary, and legislative updates from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware…and beyond. Please do not take our word for it, try it free for an entire month. No obligation.

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Has Tesla turned the wrong corner?

By David Gelles, New York Times Climate Forward

Tesla is in a bad spot.

On Monday, the world’s largest electric carmaker told employees it would lay off more than 10 percent of its workforce, and two senior executives said they were leaving.

Earlier this month Tesla announced a stunning drop in sales, delivering 387,000 cars worldwide in the first quarter, down 8.5 percent from the same time last year. The company’s stock has fallen more than 35 percent this year, including a 5.5 percent drop on Monday. Elon Musk, Tesla’s chief executive, appears strangely disengaged with the company’s stumbles and preoccupied with other pursuits.

Tesla is still the biggest electric vehicle manufacturer, credited with almost single-handedly creating the E.V. sector. As Tesla went, so went the industry.

But in a remarkably short period, the electric vehicle business appears to have untethered itself from Tesla.

American, Korean, Chinese, and European carmakers all have big, durable E.V. product lines with growing sales. Ford sold 20,223 electric vehicles in the first quarter of the year, an increase of 86 percent from the previous year, making it the second best-selling E.V. brand in the U.S.

BMW said it delivered 82,700 all-electric cars worldwide in the first three months of the year, up sharply from a year earlier. And in China, where Musk helped establish the market for electric vehicles, and the expertise to produce them, Tesla is losing its edge over Chinese competitors.

In recent months, total E.V. sales have softened a bit. But analysts expect long-term sales to keep rising. Phasing out gas-powered cars is an effective, and relatively easy, way to bring down planet-warming emissions. And policy developments around the globe make it a near certainty that most big carmakers will be going all-in on EVs in the years ahead.

“The challenges with any particular company, Tesla or otherwise, doesn’t mean doom and gloom for the E.V. industry at large,” said Pete Slowik of the International Council on Clean Transportation. “We are at a place where this transition is real and we have significant momentum from every global automaker.”

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ACUA’s 32nd Earth Day Festival will be held Sunday, April 28, 2024

Egg Harbor Township, NJ – April 15, 2024 – The Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) invites the community to its 32nd Annual Earth Day Festival on Sunday, April 28, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at its Environmental Park located at 6700 Delilah Road in Egg Harbor Township, NJ.

ACUA’s festival is the largest and longest-running Earth Day Festival in South Jersey and offers a range of activities for all ages. The festival will include more than 150 local vendors, crafters, exhibitors, nonprofits, interactive activities, workshops, tours, and more.

The festival lets the community see ACUA’s environmental services up close. Guests can take a hayride to the top of the landfill and tour the wastewater treatment facility and Jersey-Atlantic Wind Farm on an Atlantic City Jitney.

The Atlantic County Utilities' Authority will hold its 32nd Earth Day Festival, rain or shins, on Sunday, April 28, 2024

Other activities include Touch-A-Truck, ‘bouncies’, games, interactive performances, a “Dinosaurs Rock” show, a nature walk, live animals, and a petting zoo. Free workshops are scheduled throughout the day covering topics like how to build a rain barrel, houseplants 101, making a sourdough starter, and creating recycled artwork.

“ACUA’s Annual Earth Day Festival provides an opportunity for the community to learn about the essential services that keep our community clean while having fun,” said ACUA President Matthew DeNafo. “It has become a staple event in the community because of the many wonderful vendors and exhibitors joining us in celebrating our environment.”

Guests may park at ACUA’s facility at 6700 Delilah Road or at the Airport Commerce Center, with a shuttle service from 6550 Delilah Road. The Earth Day Festival will be held rain or shine.

ACUA acknowledges the many community partners and sponsors, including its platinum sponsors Atlantic City Electric, New Jersey American Water, and South Jersey Gas for their generous contributions.

Visit www.acua.com/earthday for a detailed list of vendors and a schedule of activities, and to learn about the event’s volunteer opportunities for local youth, environmental or service organizations.

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Joint environmental committees in NJ to focus on plastic pollution

The Assembly Environment, Natural Resources, and Solid Waste Committee and the Senate Environment and Energy Committee will meet jointly on Monday, April 22, 2024, at 10:00 AM in Committee Room 4, 1st Floor, State House Annex, Trenton, New Jersey.

The committees will meet to discuss the issue of plastic pollution. They will jointly receive testimony from invited guests on the extent of plastic pollution in the State, its potential and actual effects on human health, and methods that may be used to protect against or to mitigate, the negative impact of plastic pollution on human health and the environment.

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$7M program to prepare New Jersey residents for green careers

By ROI-NJ Staff (Trenton ) – April 12, 2024

A $7 million grant program was approved Thursday by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority to create the Green Workforce Training Grant Challenge aimed at preparing New Jerseyans for green economy careers.

“Gov. Phil Murphy is committed to investing in our clean energy future, and, through programs like the Green Workforce Training Grant, the NJEDA is spearheading initiatives that increase access to skills and training, putting New Jerseyans at the forefront of green economy careers,” NJEDA CEO Tim Sullivan said. “Through this important workforce development program, New Jersey is investing in our clean energy future by expanding opportunities and ensuring equitable access to good-paying jobs for all residents, especially those in overburdened communities.”

The program, funded with $4.35 million through the Council on the Green Economy and $2.65 million from the Wind Institute, will have a focus on advancing diversity, equity & inclusion and serving overburdened communities.

Grants from $250,000 up to $1.5 million are available. Applicants will be asked to submit proposals that outline their plans to develop and implement workforce support to bolster the green economy. Awardees may use funds to cover design, planning, capital, and implementation costs to offer training programs in green economy industries.

“The Green Workforce Training Grant Challenge is a unique chance for entities across the state of New Jersey, as it provides funds for them to train residents for jobs in the green economy, while ensuring a diverse workforce,” Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Climate Action and the Green Economy and Council on the Green Economy Eric Miller said. “This Grant Challenge will provide long-lasting solutions that will protect our environment while creating opportunities for our state’s workforce.”

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NJ reverses course, grants approval to a raft of solar projects

Welcome news for developers, advocates

Report: 2023 was a record year for wind installations world wide

Has Tesla turned the wrong corner?

ACUA’s 32nd Earth Day Festival will be held Sunday, April 28, 2024

Joint environmental committees in NJ to focus on plastic pollution

$7M program to prepare New Jersey residents for green careers

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