On April 20, 2010, New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities invited Murray Bevan to participate as a panelist at its "Sustainable Energy and Economic Policy Forum" hosted by Board President Lee Solomon with opening remarks given by Governor Chris Christie.  In his opening remarks, the Governor called for revisions to the State’s Energy Master Plan to better reflect his administration’s goals for economic development through the production of renewable energy.  Specifically, the Governor would like the Energy Master Plan to reflect the State’s need to increase the  development of renewable generation and also the manufacturing and service jobs necessary to support such generation.  The ultimate goal of the State’s new Energy Master Plan is to dramatically boost economic development through the jobs and investments created by making the State the nation’s top producer of renewable energy products and services.       

As a panelist, Mr. Bevan was asked to respond to questions focused on how the Board can adjust its rules to better foster energy competition and economic development within New Jersey.  Mr. Bevan emphasized the importance of accurately predicting energy usage and load growth in the Energy Master Plan document. He also commented on the need to send customers the appropriate price signals necessary to make informed energy efficiency and supply decisions.  Mr. Bevan was particularly qualified to make these responses given his first-hand involvement in the drafting of the 1987 Energy Master Plan during his tenure as Chief of Staff to former Governor Christie Todd Whitman who was then President of the BPU.

We anticipate that the Energy Master Plan stakeholder comment process will begin this summer with the release of a new draft Master Plan.  The attorneys in the Energy and Sustainability Practice Group at Bevan. Mosca, Giuditta & Zarillo, P.C. stand ready to assist clients in understanding and participating in this important process which will lead to the adoption of a new Energy Master plan for New Jersey later this year.  

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- Anthony J. Zarillo, Jr.