AJR203 —

AJR203 AEN Statement 1/27/21 ASSEMBLY ENVIRONMENT AND SOLID WASTE COMMITTEE   STATEMENT TO   ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION No.

203   STATE OF NEW JERSEY 219th LEGISLATURE   INTRODUCEDDATED: JANUARY 7, 2021     Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman  JANUARY VALERIE27, VAINIERI2021 HUTTLE  District      37The (Bergen)Assembly Assemblyman Environment DANIELand R.Solid Waste Committee reports favorably Assembly Joint Resolution No.

BENSON203. District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)         SYNOPSIS      Designates May 23 each year as "Renewable Energy Day" in NJ.

       CURRENTThis VERSIONresolution OFdesignates TEXTMay     23 Asof introduced.each year as "Renewable Energy Day" in New Jersey.

   A Joint Resolution designating May 23 each year as "Renewable Energy Day" in New Jersey.

  Whereas, New Jersey is home to a thriving renewable energy sector, which generated almost 1,900 gigawatt hours of energy for the State in 2017, according to the United States Energy Information Administration;

and Whereas, New Jersey has the potential to generate even more renewable energy as the sector grows;

and Whereas, The National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimates that New Jersey could generate over 400,000 gigawatt hours of electricity using offshore wind turbines and another 400,000 gigawatt hours of electricity using solar panels;

and Whereas, Developing the renewable energy sector is an important step toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change;

and Whereas, The renewable energy sector is also an exciting, cutting-edge field for businesses, entrepreneurs, engineers, technicians, and consumers alike;

and Whereas, According to the International Energy Agency, renewable sources of energy will have the fastest growth in the electricity sector in the next few years, providing almost 30 percent of global power demand in 2023;

and Whereas, Increased demand for renewable energy will require the production of more sophisticated and innovative products and systems, which will create engineering and manufacturing jobs ideally suited to the State’s highly educated workforce;

and Whereas, On May 23, 2018, Governor Murphy signed into law P.L.2018, c.17;

and Whereas, This sweeping legislation made major advances for the renewable energy sector in the State, including establishing the “Community Solar Energy Pilot Program,” which allows customers of an electric public utility to participate in a solar energy project that is remotely located from their properties;

and Whereas, The bill also established a tax credit for qualified wind energy projects, which will boost the growing wind energy sector, particularly along the southern coast of the State;

and Whereas, It is fitting and proper for New Jersey to acknowledge the importance of renewable energy for the future health and prosperity of the State, and to encourage the State to continue to be a leader in this field;

now, therefore,        Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

       1.    May 23 of each year is designated as "Renewable Energy Day" in New Jersey.

     2.    The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of the State to observe “Renewable Energy Day” with appropriate activities and programs.

       3.    This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

    STATEMENT        This bill designates May 23 of each year as "Renewable Energy Day" in New Jersey.  This date is significant because, on May 23, 2018, Governor Murphy signed into law P.L.2018, c.17, a sweeping piece of legislation that made major advances for the renewable energy sector in the State.