Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie unveiled his Energy Plan earlier this week with a strong emphasis on encouraging the manufacturing and installation of wind and solar technologies within New Jersey. Under Christie’s plan, the manufacturing of wind turbines and photovoltaic equipment in New Jersey will be supported through substantial tax incentives, solar farms will be treated as a permitted use under the MLUL, installation of solar farms as part of a landfill closure plan will be mandated and the installation of solar technology on a portion of preserved farmland will be permitted.
Several of his proposals would make even the most environmentally conscious politicians ”green” with envy while still emphasizing job creation.
According to a release from the Christie campaign, Christie’s Energy Plan includes the following initiatives:
The “Choose New Jersey Energy” Campaign. A Christie Administration will leverage New Jersey’s skilled workforce, technology base, manufacturing base and port facilities to make New Jersey a leader in manufacturing renewable energy. New Jersey will undergo a brand makeover as part of the “Choose New Jersey Energy” campaign. Governor Christie will lead a campaign that will market and sell New Jersey’s resources and undeniable potential to energy producers, innovators and developers.
Establish “Renew NJ” to consolidate all renewable energy manufacturing efforts. As part of the New Jersey Partnership for Action, “Renew NJ” will focus exclusively on the promotion of New Jersey resources and the development of renewable energy manufacturing. The Christie Plan will move all economic development efforts related to renewable energy from the BPU, which is not in the business of growing jobs, to “Renew NJ.” “Renew NJ” will serve as a one-stop shop for companies – working to promote the state, market to prospective energy manufacturers both at home and abroad, deliver grants, loans and other state incentives in an efficient and timely manner.
Incentivize Energy Manufacturing with Tax Credits. In order to make New Jersey an attractive place to manufacture energy, the Christie Administration will offer a tax credit up to 100% of the corporate business taxes or the insurance premium tax for any wind turbine and manufacturing facility that locates in New Jersey. The incentive will significantly erase the current disincentives in the state’s tax policy, and will be an important tool to lure manufactures to the state.
Install Solar Farms on Every Landfill. Considering there are currently over 800 active and closed landfills covering over 10,500 acres in our state, what better way to utilize this space more effectively than with solar farms. The Christie Plan requires that all New Jersey landfills regulated by the NJ DEP be required to install solar farms as part of their closure plans and on-going maintenance permits. New Jersey’s landfills represent hundreds of acres able to support significant solar capacity, and the Christie Administration will take advantage of it.
Encourage Solar Farms by Making it a Permitted Land Use. Solar applications should not have to seek use variances or zone changes. A Christie Administration will make it easer for prospective solar developers to site and build these facilities. Removing the uncertainty and delays inherent in local land use approvals would greatly incent incentivize landowners and potential solar developers.
New Jersey Farmland Isn’t Just for Agriculture. Keeping with New Jersey’s commitment to preserve and protect our natural resources, the Christie Plan will allow Permanently Preserved Farmland to use up to 20% for solar panel installation.
For a link to the Star Ledger article discussing the Christie Energy Plan, click here.
For a link to the Daily Record article on Chris Christie’s and Governor Jon Corzine’s same day visit to two different solar manufacturing plants, click here.
