Lampitt Applauds BPU For Protecting 'Green' Energy Rebates

For Release: December 23, 2008
Contact: Brian McGinnis, 856-435-1247

LAMPITT APPLAUDS BPU FOR PROTECTING 'GREEN' ENERGY REBATES

Calls Incentive Funding 'Critical' to State's Energy Future

(VOORHEES)— Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt (D-Camden) applauded the state Board of Public Utilities’ decision to maintain New Jersey Clean Energy Program’s CORE Rebate funding for all projects that have received a commitment letter. The CORE Rebates program provides funding to projects that develop alternative energy and has given a financial incentive to over 3,400 successful renewable energy projects by businesses and individuals statewide to date.

“The CORE Rebates have been a textbook example of a successful program of incentives and investment,” Lampitt said. “Without New Jersey continuing to offer its own incentives, the state runs the risk of losing the lead it holds over the majority of the nation in promoting alternative energy and seeing technology firms and green jobs leave the state." 

New Jersey has the nation’s second largest solar program, behind only California, largely because of state support and incentives. New Jersey’s Energy Master Plan calls for thirty percent of the state’s energy to come from renewable sources by 2020, which estimates suggest will create 20,000 “green” jobs in the state.

On December 21, a report in The Times of Trenton noted that EPV Solar, New Jersey’s only manufacturer of solar panels, announced it was cutting costs by temporarily suspending work. In response, Lampitt urged the BPU to expand incentives for larger renewable energy projects—those greater than 50 killowatts—to stimulate growth in the renewable energy market.

“With the state’s only solar manufacturer struggling, the CORE Rebates program and similar incentives are as important as ever,” Lampitt said. “In today’s economy, we must continue to support job creation through investing in ‘green’ industry.”