http://www.energyefficiencynews.com <p><a href="http://www.nj.gov/emp/" rel="external">New Jersey</a> Governor John Corzine has unveiled an <a href="http://www.state.nj.us/governor/news/news/2008/approved/20081022a.html" rel="external">energy plan</a> for the state that aims to intensify energy efficiency and conservation efforts and increase its renewables portfolio.</p> <p>The plan aims to cut consumers energy expenditure, while creating an estimated 20,000 jobs in the renewables and energy sectors and improving the state&rsquo;s overall energy infrastructure, says Corzine.</p> <p>The main goals of the plan are to:</p> <ul> <li>Reduce energy consumption by at least 20% by 2020 through energy efficiency and conservation measures;</li> <li>Reduce peak electricity demand by 5700 MW by 2020;</li> <li>Increase renewables target from 22.5% by 2020 to 30% by 2020;</li> <li>Develop an energy infrastructure to support distributed generation.</li> </ul> <p>&ldquo;This plan offers aggressive policies that create an energy system that is responsible and will establish the clean energy industry as a major part of New Jersey&rsquo;s economy,&rdquo; Corzine said at the plan launch.</p> <p>New Jersey already has a strong solar programme, he says, and has an offshore wind project in the works. Taken together with the new energy plan, New Jersey is in the forefront of establishing a clean energy future in the US, claims Corzine.</p> <p>For further information:<br /> <a href="http://www.state.nj.us/governor/news/news/2008/approved/20081022a.html" rel="external">www.state.nj.us/governor/news/news/2008/approved/20081022a.html</a><br /> <a href="http://www.nj.gov/emp/" rel="external">www.nj.gov/emp/</a></p> http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/1572/ 2008-11-18T00:00:00-00:00 US policy, energy efficiency, renewables