Move Forward, or Stay in Place? (Part I)

New Jersey is in the position to decide what sort of future it needs. We can move forward and fully embrace renewable energy, or we can stagnate (or continue to degrade, depending on your outlook) and embrace the Natural Gas craze.

Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station

More than half of New Jersey's electricity is derived from Nuclear power. Despite our relatively small land area, we generate the 10th most nuclear electricity of any state. NJ got this way because it adopted nuclear early. Very early. Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station, the oldest nuclear power station in the country, was built in Ocean County in 1969. The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission issues operating permits of 40 years with the option to renew an additional 20 years if the plant is up to snuff. Oyster Creek got a renewal, but will ultimately close by 2019 regardless. The other three units, all in Salem county, were commissioned in the mid 70's and fin
ished by the mid 80's. As in the case of Oyster Creek, even if they get the renewal, the plants may not go another twenty years. So over the course of the next ten years, there's a good chance we will see a dramatic shift in the way South Jersey, and therefore the state, produces energy.

There is a chance that we will add more nuclear. But its a slim chance. All of the operational nuclear facilities in our country were licensed by 1979. More than thirty years passed before, in February, The US Department of Energy announced it would help to finance two new nuclear reactors nationwide. Two. You can hardly call that a regeneration of the Nation's nuclear stock. So it's unlikely that South Jersey will see all, if any, of its plants replaced.

Let's Just Stay in Place...

The (Non-Gaseous) BL England Power Plant

If that's the case, we can either pursue renewable energies, or we can pursue fossil fuels. Many of our officials on both the municipal and state scales have made it clear where they stand. Earlier this year, South Jersey Industries, aided by strong pressure from the Christie administration, tried to force through a proposal that would have seen a 22 mile, 24 in. diameter pipeline run straight through the Pinelands (the anger I felt at this proposition was partially the impetus I needed to begin writing this blog). The plan would have seen the end of a coal-fired plant -- win -- only to see it converted into a natural gas facility -- loss. Fortunately, it failed, for reasons justified by Pinelands Commission Chair Mark Lobhauer described here. However, in case a loophole is found allowing reapplication through the Pinelands Commission, or a similar situation arises, Christie has replaced two gubenatorially-elected members, and Cumberland County another, with commissioners who will tow the line.

And lets not forget this isn't even the only natural gas facility proposed or under development. When the West Deptford energy station opens late this summer, it will add 700 MW of natural gas, and new plants in Newark and Woodbridge will do similar. Additionally, after some courtroom drama, C&H Industrial Services, Inc has been awarded the right to construct the Clayville generating station (powered by, you guessed it, natural gas). Why the rush to build these facilities?

Phew. I write a lot. I'll continue this post as a part II.