MSSIA: Trenton, NJ – 4/4/2023
Earlier this month, MSSIA, the Mid-Atlantic Solar & Storage Industries Association, hosted a half-day conference at the Trenton War Memorial in Trenton, NJ. The purpose of this conference, which included presentations by affluent members of the renewable energy industry and a panel discussion, was to address the topic of In-State vs. Out-of-State Renewables in NJ: What Do We Pay and What Do We Get?
Pfister Energy was able to send a representative to the conference, we wanted to be part of this conversation as it directly relates to our company and our goals in the solar industry. We were excited to attend alongside some of our partners, like Stem, and gain knowledge about this pressing issue in our state.
Speakers at the conference included Lyle Rawlings (Advanced Solar Products, President, MSSIA President), Veronique Oomen (New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, NJBPU, Renewable Energy Project Manager), Eric Miller (Natural Resources Defense, NRDC, NJ Energy Policy Director), Kartik Amarnath (Vote Solar, Mid-Atlantic Regulatory Director), Ron Celentano (Celentano Energy Services, Owner, PASSIA President), Barbara Blumenthal (Research Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation), and Steven Gabel (Gabel Associates, Owner). Each of the speakers presented a different point of view when it comes to renewables in New Jersey, and the discussion of in-state vs. out-of-state.
This topic directly correlates to the New Jersey Clean Energy Act of 2023, the goal of which is to have 100% clean energy in New Jersey by 2035. This is an acceleration of the previous goal, which was to have 100% clean energy by 2050. This push in the state’s deadline makes topics like having in-state or out-of-state renewables even more important.
After the presentations by each of the speakers, there was a panel discussion moderated by Senator Bob Smith. The purpose of this panel was for the audience to be able to ask questions and have further discussions on the sub-topics of the conference. The panel was illuminating, and both the speakers and the audience addressed a number of important topics in terms of renewables and clean energy. While there were many differing opinions, everyone seemed to have the same goal – to work towards 100% clean energy in New Jersey and do so in a way that is cost-effective, productive, has value, and benefits the state as a whole.
Learn more, and watch the presentations and discussions here.
