McKeon Gives Statewide 'Green' Update

Returning to the township council chambers where he used to preside as mayor, New Jersey Assemblyman John McKeon spoke to a small group of township residents and West Orange Energy Commission members at the Tuesday monthly "Green" Speaker Series event.

Drawing upon his eight year tenure as chairman of the Environment and Solid Waste Committee, McKeon spoke broadly for 90 minutes on statewide environmental issues that the committee is working on this session.

"A lot has happened in the last eight years and it's an amazing time today to be in Trenton," he said.

Starting with water conservation, McKeon discussed the seven-year-old Highlands Act that preserves and protects drinking water resources for over 50 percent of New Jersey residents, as well as open space.  

"The Act protects access to water that would otherwise have to be treated at twice the current cost," said McKeon. "If you don't agree with the environmental reasons for the Act, just look at the economic argument to keep one part of New Jersey life affordable."

Acknowledging that the Act has been controversial for landowner rights issues, he said that Governor Christie is seeking to place three new members on the New Jersey Highlands Council who are on record as opposed to the Act.

Continuing on the theme of water, McKeon moved to an update about the signed into law this January that protects the Barnegat Bay.

"The bay is the most incredible jewel and is sadly becoming one giant reflecting pool," he said. "The EPA rated the bay the worst for health in the entire country."

McKeon said that another factor impacting the bay's environmental health and recovery is the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Center. The facility draws water for cooling and then returns this water to the bay at higher temperatures, a condition that exacerbate algae overgrowth. The center is slated for decommission in 2019, he said.

Also on the state's environmental radar is a new Jersey Fresh program, funded by federal dollars, that will bring educational programs about state-grown food to students and help farmers sell their food to schools.

McKeon also spoke about pending legislation to and touched on liquefied natural gas, hydraulic fracking, Green Building incentives, and alternative power sources such as wind, geothermal and wind.

McKeon also told the audience about PSE&G's plans to upgrade transmission lines in the township to the West Orange Switching Station.

He noted that a new Energy Master Plan is being developed for the state.

According to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities website, Governor Christie has tasked the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities with "revisiting the 2008 Energy Master Plan in light of current economic conditions to ensure a balance between increasing challenges in meeting current and future energy demands in New Jersey."

The next open public meeting for the New Jersey Energy Master Plan is scheduled for May 20 at 1 p.m. in Newark. Full details can be found here.

Township resident Judy Fabiano said, "I didn't know about PSE&G building a new facility and it was interesting to hear how the Highlands Act is important for water access."

The West Orange Energy Commisison's free monthly Green Speaker Series seeks to bring the West Orange community together on the "green" goals of lowering utility bills, saving energy, conserving water, and understanding state environmental initiatives.

West Orange Energy Commission "Green" Speaker Series Lineup

May 2: Chuck Feinberg, chairman and president, NJ Clean Cities Coalition
June 6: Arlene Johnson, co-chair, Livingston Green Team-Sustainable Jersey

All events are at 7 p.m. in the township municipal building council chambers.