Environmental groups want state energy regulators to have PSE&G and other utility companies add more energy efficiency programs to plans for protecting against future storm events.
Eastern Environmental Law Center is representing the Sierra Club and New Jersey Environmental Federation in a utility rate case currently before the state Board of Public Utilities, requesting that PSE&G avoid future storm costs and improve resiliency against storms with a greater emphasis on energy efficiency and use of clean and renewable energy.
The BPU, which has ordered PSE&G to provide greater detail to evaluate rate increases to cover the storm mitigation and underlying infrastructure improvements, will rule on whether the environmental groups can intervene in the case.
Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, says investing in energy efficiency will better justify the expense of new expensive transmission lines, substations, and other distribution infrastructure.
“Smart grid and distributed generation technology along with better use of renewable energy will make the grid less vulnerable to circuit outages,’’ Tittel said. “If you invest in energy efficiency, you don’t have to spend as much on hard wires and other infrastructure, saving money for ratepayers as well as creating green jobs and protecting the environment.’’
