The Offshore Wind Economic Development Act (pdf) directs the state’s Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to establish an offshore renewable energy certificate program that calls for a percentage of electricity sold in the state to be from offshore wind energy. The act would support the development of at least 1,100 megawatts of offshore wind energy capacity.
The bill was signed into law by Gov. Chris Christie at a former BP port facility that will be transformed into a regional hub for the offshore wind industry.
“Developing New Jersey’s renewable energy resources and industry is critical to our state’s manufacturing and technology future,” Christie said.
The package will offer incentives including financial aid and tax credits to attract wind energy developers to the state’s waters.
Two offshore wind development companies, Fishermen’s Energy and Deepwater Wind, already have plans to develop offshore wind energy off the coast of New Jersey.
Green Your Tax Return!
There are many ways to reap the benefits of energy efficiency, including on your tax return. Here are just a few of the incentives up for grabs this year. Next year may bring even more…
1 – 30% On Home Energy Tax Credits for Geothermal, Solar, Wind Turbines or Fuel Cells
The economic stimulus bill removed the $2,000 cap that had applied to geothermal heat pumps, solar panels and other home renewable energy technology. The 30% tax rebate on qualified solar energy systems remains in place on geothermal heat pumps, small wind turbines, and fuel cell systems.
Ground-source heat pumps are installed underground and use the constant 50-degree subsurface temperature to cool air or water in the summer, and heat it in the winter — both of which reduce the cost of heating or cooling year round.
You can claim a home tax credit for energy efficiency improvements made in 2009 (but not for improvements made in 2008) if you installed new insulation, energy-efficient windows or an energy-efficient furnace, boiler or air conditioner.
A tax credit of up to $500 that expired in 2007 has been renewed for 2009 by the bailout bill, and expanded to $1,500 by the economic stimulus bill. It covers up to 30% (expanded from 10% by the economic stimulus bill) of the cost of a range of projects that meet certain specifications. Do $5,000 worth of qualifying work, and you not only get a $1,500 rebate, but also savings on energy bills for years to come.
The economic stimulus bill also stripped out most caps on individual home improvements, which had applied to windows, heating equipment and other energy efficiency improvements.
Note that the tax credit applies only to equipment, not labor.
Find more information about these home energy efficiency tax credits at the Alliance to Save Energy or Energy Star or Department of Energy Websites. Note that much of this information reflects the tax incentives in place in 2006 and 2007; for the most part, the 2009 tax credits are identical, but check updated criteria for which products qualify, for instance.
3 – $500 Home Energy Tax Credits for Fuel Cells or Microturbines
The tax incentive that had covered 30% of the cost of fuel cell or microturbine systems in homes, which lapsed in 2008, has been restored for 2009 and through 2016. It covers up to $500 per 0.5 kw of capacity.
4 – $7,500 Energy Tax Credits for Plug-in Hybrid Cars
The first 200,000 buyers of plug-in hybrid vehicles from each manufacturer now qualify for a $7,500 tax rebate.
A similar tax credit for hybrid vehicles had been capped at $3,500 before the bailout bill.
5 – $50,000 for Installing a Clean Fuel Refueling System
While few homeowners may be ready to take advantage, those who want to install a clean fuel refueling system, like a natural gas refueling or a recharging system for a plug-in electric vehicle, can now qualify for up to $50,000 — up from $30,000 – if the system is installed in 2009 or 2010, thanks to the stimulus bill. Go with hydrogen and the credit increases to $200,000, and you have until 2014 to take advantage of it.
6 – Wildcard: State Energy Tax Credits
Keep your eyes out for new incentives from your state, since the bill also authorizes an $800 million government bond program that encourages states to create incentives for new and existing energy conservation and related programs. Some of that money is likely to be used toward state tax breaks and other incentives that will vary by location. Among the incentives to watch for is up to $6,500 per qualifying home in the Weatherization Assistance Program. The Department of Energy’s Office of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, which provides grants to states and local governments that trickle down to individuals, had its budget increased nearly 10-fold.
Today’s Stories: Wind Farm Goes Underwater (In a Good Way) Sarkozy and Brown Hold Hands on Transaction Tax Solar Panels Now Even More Efficient New Energy Possibilities for New York Pope Benedict XVI Acknowledges Climate Change Crisis
For our underwater listeners, if your reef is dying, there is hope! ASR Ltd, a coral reef ecosystem recreation company, is making a new multi-purpose reef system that will decrease beach erosion and give marine critters a new place to live.
Here’s the kicker: these new reef systems make killer waves! With projects planned in the US, Europe and India, ASR plans to bring their surfing reef to communities around the world. Their current project in southern England is making progress already, and it’s not even complete yet. Around this particular reef, the local towns have already noticed an increase in tourism, providing huge socio-economic benefits to the area.
Apparently, all of our efforts at informing the world about Global Warming were completely unnecessary. Why? Because Global Warming doesn’t exist….according to Sean Hannity.
Taking partisanship to new, unrealistic heights, the FOX pundit covered a confrontation between a journalist and Al Gore at the Society of Environmental Journalist conference in Madison, WI. The journalist went after Gore over inconsistencies in his film “An Inconvenient Truth.” Hannity, apparently trying to simplify the issue for his viewers, said, “The debate’s over. There’s no global warming.”
Well that would make our job easier, Mr. Hannity, except that Global Warming is completely real. Just to clear that up.
From the New York Times, our friends in merry old England have once again used their eloquent words and charming accents to get the edge on us. In a recent survey, 74% of Brits said they would be willing to change their lifestyles in order to help get the planet back on track.
As far as we know, citizens of the U.S. have made no such statements.
The government in the U.K. has also implemented a new advertising campaign designed to make the Brits feel absolutely naughty about their wasteful habits. Maybe scare tactics about Global Warming would work here, but until the government really decides to crack down on American wastefulness, we’ll never know.
Last week we reported that several companies had dropped out of the United States Chamber of Commerce and very soon, another company could make its relationship with the Chamber bite the dust.
The Huffington Post reports that MacAndrews and Forbes Holdings, a company owned by the 18th richest man in America, Ronald Perelman, is seriously considering leaving the Chamber of Commerce because of its stance against the Clean Air Act.
MacAndrews and Forbes Holdings, which holds owns a significant amount of several complanies including Revlon, is currently holding internal discussions about whether or not to leave the Chamber of Commerce.
For those who don’t remember, the Chamber of Commerce shot itself in the foot with an August court petition filed by the chamber demanding that the Environmental Protection Agency subject itself to an open debate over whether credible scientific evidence exists that global warming endangers public health.
For the vast majority of scientists and experts, it’s a foregone conclusion that Global Warming is not only bad for the globe, but most certainly the people in it. Maybe the Commerce employees should get outside the Chamber every once in awhile!
East Coast represent! From EcoGeek.org, State government officials from Maine and Maryland convened in New Jersey recently for a clean energy summit.
The conclusion of these very auspicious proceedings was that collaboration was key. Pooling resources on their various individual projects would mean quicker, easier and cheaper results for everyone. The states are planning to share things like transmission lines and advise each other on permitting, site selection and how to construct ocean-based wind farms.
Hopefully this coming demand for renewable energy will create new jobs in all three states and allow for the East Coast to stop importing its electricity in favor of creating it self-sufficiently.
US Demand for Oil Shrinks
The European Wind Energy Conference :: March 16th-19th, 2009
Mama Aint No Fool :: Clean Your Plate
Tesla’s 250th Delivery
Facebook Educates Users
The Swedes are at it again!
Today we have with us our collegue, Rob Burke, reluctant activist, and owner of the Wayne Auto Spa – eco-friendly car wash. Rob gives us an update on some exciting and encouraging news for clean energy in the Garden State. More info on his blog.
In the interview we ask listeners to contact representitives in support of state-wide renwable energy zoning laws. These are the NJ lawmakers who can make this happen:
Sen. Bob Smith, Environment Committee Chair: senbsmith@njleg.org Assemblyman Upendra Chivikula, Chair, Telecommunications & Environment Committee:AsmChivukula@njleg.org
Assemblyman John McKeon, Chair, Environment & Solid Waste Committee,AsmMcKeon@njleg.org
THE LATEST NEWS ON THIS REQUEST… (3/10/09)
For all of our NJ people, an update on recent legislation…. A3062/S1303 Defines “inherently beneficial use” for purposes of zoning use variance and specifically includes facilities that supply electrical energy produced from wind, solar or photovoltaic technologies. This bill was favorably unanimously passed out of the Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee (AHO) yesterday afternoon. It apparently was approved thru the Senate so if the Assembly passes it, then next stop the Governor.
Did you know that New Jersey residents can choose to source their power from renewable suppliers?
NJ Clean Power Choice Program and Host Transition Greg had a chance to speak with Paul Copleman, Communications Manager for Community Energy, Inc. about the NJ Clean Power Choice program. There are several ways to join up. The first is through a ballet that comes with your utility bill, usually in the spring or fall. The second is by visiting the Clean Power Choice website and the third is by visiting the supplier websites directly (see sites listed below). If you’re not in NJ, find out what programs are available in your area or ask they start one. Want to learn more about your energy choices?
Host Transition: Kaizen Productions and the NewlyGreens’ house now powered 100% by renewable energy sources. Armed with all this new information, we set out to source our power from renewable energy. Although CONSERVATION IS KEY, getting the power we must use from renewable sources instead of dirty coal (and in NJ 50% nuclear) was the next obvious step for us. So we signed up to source 100% of our power from renewable energy sources. The costs vary between 5 to 15 dollars a month extra. This is one of those green choices that impacts your bottom line negatively, but for us we felt the long-term benefits made it worth while. Conservation and efficiency have saved us money on our utility bills so we felt good about using those savings to carry us the rest of the way by sourcing our power in this way. We’re sending a message that there is a demand for cleaner, renewable energy and getting our ideals in line with our purchasing choices.
Keep thinking green – It’s good for the earth and it’s good for you!
Challenges To Going Green – The Wayne Township Turbine Hearing.
We are on the verge of yet another frontier in this country and around the world. This episode gives you a glimpse inside the challenges some pioneers are facing today. In episode 3 we met Rob Burke, owner of an eco-friendly car wash in Wayne NJ. Rob is now attempting to add to his eco portfolio by constructing a wind turbine on the car wash property. Although the state has granted him financial incentives he now faces the township to approve the construction. One of the challenges he faces in front of the board is the absence of “experts” in the area of renewable energy.
Mayor Paul Kennedy of Ocean Gate along with Jim Frye make the astute observation that towns need to be more proactive in informing themselves about the realities of clean energy sources. Thanks to “Home Rule” there is also an absence of statewide codes and regulations for structures such as wind turbines. It is still unexplored territory for most town officials so there is some resistance. There are certainly many questions to be asked and answered, but as we saw demonstrated by the ACUA in part 1 of this episode, it is possible to both answer those questions and get renewable energy sources installed when the political will is there.
Hi Everyone,
Connie and I have been wanting to share some additional content for a while and we’re finally getting around to getting something posted. We plan to post things like excerpts from Connie’s Climate Project presentations, radio appearances, and speaking engagements. These will be a little more stripped-down in terms of the production polish, but we hope they will give you some more useful information and a little more insight into where we’re coming from. Let us know what you think. Thanks.
