Bill Text: NJ ACR194 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges PJM Interconnection to study electric transmission system planning requirements to accommodate offshore wind energy.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-05-23 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee [ACR194 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-ACR194-Introduced.html
ASSEMBLY CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 194
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
214th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED MAY 23, 2011
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman UPENDRA J. CHIVUKULA
District 17 (Middlesex and Somerset)
SYNOPSIS
Urges PJM Interconnection to study electric transmission system planning requirements to accommodate offshore wind energy.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Concurrent Resolution urging the PJM Interconnection L.L.C. to study the electric transmission system planning requirements to accommodate offshore wind energy.
Whereas, The United States Department of Energy and the United States Department of the Interior ("DOI") have adopted a National Offshore Wind Energy Strategy calling for installation of 10 gigawatts of offshore wind energy generation capacity by 2020 and 54 gigawatts by 2030; and
Whereas, According to the DOI, the offshore Mid-Atlantic region of the United States represents enormous potential for wind energy development; and
Whereas, New Jersey and nine other Atlantic Coast states have joined with the DOI to form an Atlantic Offshore Wind Energy Consortium to promote the efficient, orderly, and responsible development of wind resources on the United States Outer Continental Shelf; and
Whereas, New Jersey has a mandate requiring electricity suppliers to provide at least 22.5% of their electric power from renewable energy sources by 2021, which will require, in conjunction with other Mid-Atlantic states' renewable energy mandates, the development of 25 gigawatts of renewable energy production over the next five years; and
Whereas, Offshore wind energy represents an essential resource enabling New Jersey and other Mid-Atlantic states to meet their renewable energy goals; and
Whereas, The Mid-Atlantic coast's offshore wind energy resource also offers tremendous potential for economic development in the region; and
Whereas, Numerous studies by labor, business, and environmental organizations have assessed the opportunity to create jobs via the development of the Mid-Atlantic region's offshore wind energy resource; and
Whereas, Utilization of the Mid-Atlantic region's vast wind offshore energy potential on a sufficiently large scale represents the best avenue for developing a domestic manufacturing base in support of offshore wind energy; and
Whereas, Effective development of offshore wind energy on a large scale in the Mid-Atlantic region requires forward-looking and inclusive electric transmission system planning on part of the PJM Interconnection L.L.C., the region's independent power grid operator; now, therefore
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey (the Senate concurring):
1. The Legislature urges the PJM Interconnection L.L.C. ("PJM") to thoroughly consider the electric transmission system planning requirements to accommodate large-scale development of the Mid-Atlantic region's offshore wind energy potential. PJM should study the interconnection requirements to successfully integrate six to 10 gigawatts of offshore wind energy over the next decade.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk thereof, and signed by the President of the Senate and attested by the Secretary thereof, shall be transmitted to the PJM Interconnection L.L.C., the United States Secretary of the Interior, the United States Secretary of Energy, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and the members of New Jersey's Congressional delegation.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges the PJM Interconnection L.L.C. ("PJM") to study the electric transmission system planning requirements to accommodate the integration of six to 10 gigawatts of offshore wind energy over the next decade.
The U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of the Interior have adopted a National Offshore Wind Strategy calling for the installation of 10 gigawatts of offshore wind generation capacity by 2020 and 54 gigawatts by 2030. In keeping with the national strategy, New Jersey and nine other Atlantic Coast states have joined with the United States Department of the Interior to form an Atlantic Offshore Wind Energy Consortium to promote the efficient, orderly, and responsible development of wind energy resources on the United States Outer Continental Shelf.
New Jersey has a mandate requiring electricity suppliers to provide at least 22.5% of their electric power from renewable energy sources by 2021. This will require, in conjunction with other Mid-Atlantic states' renewable energy mandates, the development of 25 gigawatts of renewable production over the next five years. Offshore wind energy represents a component of New Jersey and other Mid-Atlantic states' strategy to meet their renewable energy goals.
The Mid-Atlantic coast's offshore wind energy resource also offers tremendous potential for economic development in the region. Numerous studies by labor, business, and environmental organization have assessed the opportunity to create jobs via the development of the Mid-Atlantic region's offshore wind energy resource. Additionally, the utilization of wind energy on a sufficiently large scale represents the best avenue for developing a domestic manufacturing base in support of offshore wind energy.
Effective development of offshore wind energy on a large scale in the Mid-Atlantic region requires forward-looking and inclusive transmission system planning on part of PJM, the region's independent power grid operator. Therefore, the Legislature urges PJM to study the requirements for including wind energy within the regions energy transmission system.
