Our Purpose
The need to protect our fragile environment while providing New Jersey residents and business with affordable and reliable sources of energy is clearly a challenging but achievable goal. Yet, if we are timid and unrealistic in the work we do to reach this essential goal, we do so at our own peril.
Clean and abundant sources of energy to light our lives, power our businesses, schools, and hospitals is a critical need. But so too is the need to halt environmentally damaging climate change.
The good news is that the two needs are not mutually exclusive.
The 2003 blackout that crippled the Northeast stands as a stark reminder of how dependent our lifestyle and security is on a reliable supply of electric power. Furthermore, while most people believe that global warming is threatening our quality of life, a vigorous debate exists on the best strategies to meet that threat.
The Coalition will work to educate the public about the need for energy policies that protect the environment and improve the state's economy. Its immediate focus is to generate public support for renewal of the operating license of the Oyster Creek Generating Station by increasing public awareness about the benefits of Oyster Creek and the important role nuclear energy plays in meeting New Jersey's electricity needs.
We believe the nuclear plants in the state should be granted license extensions, the development of new technologies should be facilitated, new nuclear facilities should be built, energy efficiency programs should be aggressively promoted, and improvements to our electric infrastructure should be made where needed.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the nation will need 40 percent more electricity by 2030. The Mid-Atlantic region alone will need at least 13 percent more electricity by 2030. New Jersey must find a way to meet this increasing demand in a smart and timely manner.
We will create a strong coalition of leaders and organizations who will collectively address the energy challenges facing New Jersey and help achieve the common goal of assuring a reliable supply of affordable, clean energy for businesses and residents.