We recently had an important day in New Jersey history when it comes to clean energy. On the same day the Board of Public Utilities took the first major step in making offshore wind a reality, Oyster Creek nuclear plant closed for good. This is a sign of how we are transitioning from dirty energy to cleaner, safer energy.
The plan to open solicitations for wind developers for 1,100 megawatts of energy production off our coast is the most ambitious wind plan in the nation. This moves us forward with Gov. Phil Murphy's goal of 3,500 megawatts by 2030. Wind power can provide a third of New Jersey's electrical needs without contributing to climate change or air pollution.
At the same time, the oldest nuclear plant in the country is closing. We have been fighting to close the Oyster Creek plant in Lacy Township for years because of safety and environmental concerns. The plant polluted Barnegat Bay and was a disaster waiting to happen. Now that it's closed, we can put more energy into moving forward with renewable energy.
If we truly want to move toward a clean energy future, we must stop fossil fuel infrastructure in New Jersey with a moratorium on power plants and pipelines. To reach 100 percent renewable energy by 2050, we must have policies that support renewable energy and stop fossil fuel projects. We're off to a great start, but we still have a long way to go to transition New Jersey from dangerous energy towards a green economy.
Jeff TittelDirector, New Jersey Sierra ClubTrenton
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