New Jersey Governor launches overhaul of outdated energy master plan

TRENTON, NEW JERSEY - Governor Corzine said the state would take the next year to update its energy master plan, a long overdue overhaul that will map out New Jersey's energy needs for the next decade and beyond.

Corzine said the comprehensive energy policy to be developed will include "a long-term strategy for reliable, renewable, competitively priced energy."

"This is a plan that should take into consideration our needs on environment, health, global climate change, but it also has to responsibly meet the needs of economic growth and make sure we have affordable energy for our consumers," Corzine said.

State law requires a new energy master plan every 10 years and updates every three years, but the plan was last overhauled in 1991 and last updated in 1995, Corzine said.

"This is a heck of a challenge," he conceded. "It's so much of a challenge that somehow or another we've ignored, practically, doing this since 1995."

Corzine said the new plan would be developed in concert with the state Board of Public Utilities, the regulatory agency for companies that supply electricity and natural gas.

The administration will seek public input on the plan through a series of town hall meetings scheduled for later in October and through a new Web site, nj.gov/emp.

Corzine noted that the state currently consumes 25 percent more electricity than it produces. Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey chapter of the Sierra Club, said the state should not squander another year before becoming more progressive on energy policy.

"I think he's delaying things for a year," said Tittel.