The BP oil crisis, playing out in the Gulf of Mexico, calls attention to the gravity and potential consequences of the continued reliance on oil as a primary energy source. Case in point, the New Jersey Senate Environment and Energy Committee recently proposed legislation to amend the state’s Spill Compensation and Control Act to increase the liability of owners and/or operators of major petroleum facilities in the event of a discharge of petroleum products or other hazardous substances. (S-2108.) Even before the BP disaster, New Jersey legislators, cognizant of the dilemma posed by the continued reliance on oil, were examining alternative energy solutions. In October 2008, the state promulgated an Energy Master Plan, committing New Jersey to an aggressive and wide-scale implementation of alternative energy technologies. Since then, state representatives have made significant strides towards enacting this plan.

During his last days in office, Gov. Jon Corzine signed several bills into law aimed at promoting the use of alternative energy sources within the state. His successor, Gov. Chris Christie, quickly followed suit, passing another alternative energy law shortly after becoming governor. At least five laws designed to promote alternative energy have been passed within the last year and several other alternative energy bills are currently pending in both houses of the legislature, making New Jersey one of the leading states on the promotion of alternative energy in the nation.

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