The NJ Energy Master Plan sets a clean energy goal of 100% clean energy by 2050. This is defined as 100% carbon neutral electricity production and 80% reduction in the statewide Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions (compared to 2006) by 2050.    

The key to 100% clean energy by 2050 is to produce that energy with a source that has lower environmental impacts and zero GHG emissions such as renewable energy. One option is to make “renewable” gasoline, natural gas or oil by recycling organic matter; but this option is limited.  New Jersey could only produce enough renewable natural gas to generate about 900 megawatts of electricity.  That is about 5% of the electricity we need every day.  

NJ can make about 95% of the electricity we need from other renewable sources (such as solar and wind) but we will have to shift from fossil fuel heating and transportation to electrical methods through the use of heat pumps for heating and cooling, and electric vehicles (EV) for transportation.  This is known as BENEFICIAL ELECTRIFICATION: shifting energy needs to electricity and generating that electricity with renewable or net- carbon free electricity

Beneficial Electrification would double our electricity usage; but heat pumps and EVs are much more energy efficient than fossil fuel heating and transportation so overall there would actually be energy and cost savings. The annual energy cost for an average household would go from about $5000 to $3000.

You can read more about the States clean energy goal in the NJBPU’s 2019 Energy Master Plan at https://nj.gov/emp/docs/pdf/2020_NJBPU_EMP.pdf