Gov. Jon
Corzine has ordered one of the state's less-known agencies to produce a miracle.
The Board of Public Utilities must figure out how New Jersey can clean the
air, cut traffic, slow global warming, generate jobs and make sure the lights
remain on through the foulest weather. All while saving consumers money.
Corzine's
marching orders may be impossible. But the closer the board comes to creating a
long-term energy mas ter plan that is both strong and achievable, the better the
future quality of life for everyone in New Jersey.
The plan
should be an intel ligent guide on a far-reaching range of issues: construction
of electric power plants, expan sion of carpooling programs, keeping and
attracting high- tech employers. The common denominator is energy, whether it be
electricity, natural gas or gasoline and diesel fuel.
Decades
ago, the BPU was responsible for ensuring citizens had a secure, plentiful
supply of energy at a decent price. Air pollution, traffic jams and economic
development weren't its issues.
They are
now. Coal-fired power plants emit choking soot as well as gases that feed global
warming. Fuel-guzzling cars, trucks and SUVs add to traffic jams and air
pollution. High electricity costs hobble family budgets and undercut New Jersey's ability to
retain or attract business.
The
Department of Transportation and other state agencies are to pitch in to help
develop the new energy plan, and enthusiastic cooperation will be essential. The
BPU has no special knowledge of traffic control or incentives to reduce single-
driver vehicles.
Developing
aggressive strategies to assure clean, reasonably priced energy will be the easy
part. The serious challenge will be to make them practical, not just feel-good
blather.
That's
pretty much what happened when the BPU last issued a full-blown state energy
plan 15 years ago. The 1991 plan was full of laudable goals, such as decreasing
total energy demand in the state 25 percent by the year 2000.
Instead,
demand rose over that period and has continued to do so. Electric rate
deregulation, which was supposed to provide a bonanza of cost cuts to
ratepayers, has led to higher prices. State carpooling incen tives failed, and
traffic has increased much faster than population.
Granted,
the BPU and the state can't control all of the energy challenges facing
New Jersey.
Auto mileage standards are set by Washington,
and Congress has mulishly ignored this quick, straightforward way to reduce
America's dependence on foreign oil.
And New Jersey
has made some energy progress. For instance, the BPU's incentives to increase
the use of solar power installations have won national ac claim.
Corzine has
vowed the new master plan will set a standard for the nation. He recognizes the
need for clean energy and also the need to make sure the energy policy doesn't
further erode New
Jersey's attractiveness to business and industry.
That's a
very tough balance to achieve. Everyone in the state has a stake in the outcome.
