Chivukula and Grassroots Group Work to Advance Green Energy in New Jersey

Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula, Legislative District 17

NEW BRUNSWICK — Assemblyman Upendra J. Chivukula and Senator Thomas Kean Jr. are working to pass legislation that provides an innovative way of encouraging communities to utilize solar, wind, geothermal and hydro power.

The legislation, A3333/S2927, directs the Board of Public Utilities to establish advanced metering infrastructure standards and authorizes licensing of local renewable energy collaboratives by the BPU.

Chivukula, the chairman of the Telecommunication and Utilities Committee, discussed the bill with organizers from Environment New Jersey, a statewide grassroots organization, which works to inform citizens about ways to improve the environment June 16 in New Brunswick.

In addition to directing BPU to establish uniform standards, the legislation also creates Local Renewable Energy Collabaratives, which should allow condominium associations, town halls and other community spaces to put together collaboratives and become mini-utilities that produce and sell energy, Chivukula said.

“One of the things we want to do is to see how we can encourage community based solar so there are common areas that you can put up solar panels,” Chivukula said.

Whatever energy is produced could be distributed to the homeowners in the condominium and the excess energy could connect to a net meter that would connect to the Pennsylvania New Jersey Maryland Grid, Chivukula said.

“[A3333] is a pretty revolutionary way to do solar energy,” said Matt Elliott, the global warming and clean energy advocate for Environment New Jersey. “Right now solar energy is just available to people who own their own home or have enough money to cover upfront costs. This changes the whole dynamic. This allows pretty much anybody to invest in solar, and we think that’s the way of the future”

New Jersey wants to shift from the carbon based sources to renewable energy sources, Chivukula said. The state must find the balance between utilizing its land for renewable energy sources and utilizing its land for other vital needs.

“We don’t want to depend on overseas oil, and we don’t have that much wind,” Chivukula said. “Solar [and hydro power are] viable options.”

The state receives an average of 5.5 usable hours of sunlight per day, Chivukula said. Because it costs four times more to produce solar energy than it does to produce coal energy more incentives are needed.

Chivukula said he hopes to pass this bill in both houses this year. During the summer months, Chivukula says he plans to sit down with the utility companies and other stakeholders to work out a compromise.

“When it comes to energy and especially clean energy there are very few people in Trenton who think about these issues every day as much as Assemblyman Chivukula,” Elliott said. “[Environment New Jersey] appreciates [his] leadership.”

Elliott pledged that Environment New Jersey will knock on hundreds of doors in support of clean energy initiatives.

“I’m really happy that [New Jersey Environment is] working hard and trying to make a difference,” Chivukula said.

Assemblymen Upendra J. Chivukula is Chair of the Telecommunication and Utilities Committee. He represents the 17th Legislative district in the New Jersey General Assembly, which includes the communities of Franklin Township, Highland Park Borough, New Brunswick, and Piscataway Township.