New Jersey releases plan to reach 100% clean energy by 2050

Written on: June 11, 2019 by ICM

The State of New Jersey released its Draft 2019 Energy Master Plan (EMP) on June 10 to reach 100% clean energy by 2050. The state outlined ways it plans meet this standard, mostly through carbon-neutral power generation and electrifying the transportation and building sectors. The plan is targeted to meet and/or exceed the Global Warming Response Act greenhouse emissions reductions of 80%, compared to 2006 levels, by 2050.
New Jersey’s energy commitments currently include:

• Increasing the Renewable Portfolio Standard to 50% by 2030
• Generating 3,500 MW of offshore wind by 2030
• Installing 2,000 MW of energy storage by 2030
• Increasing energy efficiency standards by at least 2% in the power sector and at least 0.75% in the natural gas sector by 2024
• Transitioning to a new solar incentive program
• Developing a community solar program
• Putting 330,000 zero-emission vehicles on the road by 2025

The plan noted natural gas- and oil-fueled space heating, water heating, appliances and industrial use account for 28% of New Jersey’s greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, the building sector should be “largely decarbonized and electrified by 2050.” This will involve the deployment of appliances such as electrified heat pumps and hot water heaters.
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) will hold public meetings on the draft EMP through September.