For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Jackie.Greger@sierraclub.org
Senate Enviro. Cmt. Releases Nation-Leading 100% Clean Energy Bill, State Investments for Grid Modernization
Trenton, NJ – Today, Senator Bob Smith’s New Jersey Clean Energy Act of 2024 , S237/A1480, was released at the Senate Environment and Energy Committee, making the codification of the state’s target for 100 percent clean electricity by 2035 one step closer to fruition. This bill is the most ambitious clean energy target in the country. A grid modernization bill, S258, was also released which provides the necessary investments that are needed to help make the 100 percent electrification target a reality.
Achieving 100 percent clean energy by 2035 will lower energy costs for millions of New Jersey residents, clean our air, and reduce carbon emissions. With historical investments in grid modernization and the achievement of 100% clean electricity, New Jersey will create tens of thousands of new family-sustaining in-state jobs in the next decade for roles inclusive of building, operating, and maintaining electricity generators, and thousands of other jobs in large-scale solar and offshore wind while preserving our nuclear and gas fleets for the purpose of reliability and affordability.
This past Monday, the NJ Sierra Club joined the CLEAN coalition, Clean Energy Jobs Coalition, NJ League of Conservation Voters, Isles, ReThink Energy NJ, New Labor, NJ Policy Perspective, ANJEC, NJ Organizing Project, NJ Progressive Equitable Energy Coalition, Waterspirit, GreenFaith, and NJ Clinicians for Climate Action to rally in support of the bills.
New Jersey Sierra Club Director, Anjuli Ramos-Busot, made the following statement on the bill’s passage out of committee:
“The release of the clean energy standard and the grid modernization bills are a monumental step for the climate movement in New Jersey, bringing us closer to achieving a fossil-free future. Once again, New Jersey continues to show that we are a leader on climate action, and the New Jersey Sierra Club is excited to see such progress for the sake of our communities, climate, clean air and water, and future generations. We are proud to have joined with partners and advocates who have advocated and rallied in support of Senator Smith’s bill and called on legislators to take the necessary action to commit to a real clean energy future. Today, the Senate Energy and Environment Committee proved they heard our demands and moved one step closer toward codifying one of the most ambitious pieces of climate legislation in the country. We look forward to the bill moving swiftly toward codification.”
###