Here's what
I want to do:
* Mandate all state diesel vehicles and all buses to run on B20 mixes of
diesel fuel (this is a mix containing 20% biodiesel from plant sources,
slightly more expensive than straight diesel but with cleaner burning and
reduced sulfur emissions).
* Do the same to replace No. 2 Heating Oil in publicbuildings including
government, state colleges, etc.
* Explore outfitting state diesel vehicles to run on straight vegetable
oil! The cost of conversion would be offset by the free donation of all
fuel (used frying oil, crumbs and all) from the fryers of fast-food
restaurants throughout NJ. There could even be corporate sponsorship via
McDonalds, Burger King, etc., who would be saying goodbye to costs for
used oil disposal via a state donation program. The publicity generated by
such a forward-thinking project, so out of the norm of New Jersey
thinking, would do much to raise the consciousness of all New Jerseyans to
the fascinating possibilities for ecological progress in the 21st century.
* Increase wind and solar energy applications in the Garden State,
including much-needed publicity that these options exist and are reliable
(the first NJ wind farm is currently under construction in Atlantic City).
* Give state support for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design) Certification in all new and existing buildings in NJ (www.usgbc.org);
and support the use of alternative building materials including cob and
strawbale in the construction of homes and other buildings.
* Increase the percentage of electricity generated from renewables as
recommended by Governor McGreevey's recent commission.
Green Party of the United States Platform:
If we do not alter our energy use soon – and drastically – the
ecological crisis may be exacerbated past a point where it can be
resolved. A comprehensive energy policy must be a critical element of our
environmental thinking. Investing in ENERGY EFFICIENCY and RENEWABLE
ENERGY is key to sustainability.
Just as ecological materials management is governed by the concept
of “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” (in priority order), ecological energy
management must be governed by the principle of Conservation, Efficiency,
and Clean Renewables. Of highest importance is to use less, then to use
wisely, and to have clean production of what is used.
- Extensive conservation measures will bring huge resource savings for
both the economy and the environment. Conservation, along with energy
efficiency and renewables, is an essential part of an effective energy
policy. The Greens call for pervasive efforts on the energy conservation
front. We encourage the creation and design of human environments that are
as energy-efficient as possible, recognizing that yet further conservation
efforts are a significant means to meeting our future energy needs without
further energy production. Similarly, we support the phasing out of the
most ecologically harmful sources of energy.
- We call for the development of STATE ENERGY POLICIES that include
taxes and/or fines on energy “waste,” and the funding of energy research,
including credits for alternative and sustainable energy use such as
solar, wind, hydrogen and biomass.
- Greens also support enacting mandatory carbon reduction measures and
setting the bar for carbon emissions at a percentage well below the best
appropriate technology.
- In order to aid in the rapid replacement of extremely polluting energy
systems (nuclear and coal-fired power plants), natural gas power plants
could help provide needed replacement power until conservation, efficiency
and truly clean renewables are fully phased in. Natural gas power plants
should not be used to feed an increase in energy demand.
- Thanks to technological innovation prompted by regrettably limited
federal support, photovoltaic cells now cost one-tenth what they did 20
years ago, and wind-generated power costs one-fifth what it did 10 years
ago. It is now estimated that the total RENEWABLE ENERGY contribution to
our nation’s energy use could realistically be 10% by the year 2010 and
20% by the year 2020 – but only if increased emphasis is placed on
renewable energy. We urge that new construction be required to achieve
substantial portions of its heating energy from the sun in the next few
years. Incentives/disincentives should be put in place to move utilities
toward establishing SOLAR POWER STATIONS to augment and eventually
supplant fossil-fuel generated electricity.
- “TRUE-COST PRICING,” which reflects the “realistic” cost of products
including ecological damage and externalities caused during the
manufacturing process, must be adopted to achieve accurate financial
accounting. Only with a shift in the way we are seeing, can we accurately
assess our energy choices and costs – and the long-term impacts of the
energy decisions we are making.
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