Frequently Asked Questions
Click here for facts about offshore wind in New Jersey.
What is Clean Energy?
Clean energy is electricity used to power our homes, schools, and businesses that comes from pollution-free sources like wind and solar.
What’s the difference between clean and renewable energy?
Renewable energy is derived from sources that can naturally replenish themselves — like wind and sun - while clean energy encompasses all zero-carbon energy sources, such as nuclear energy.
What are the health impacts of using fossil fuels for electricity?
Air pollution from burning fossil fuels can cause multiple health issues, including asthma, cancer, heart disease, and premature death as evidenced by the American Lung Association’s 2023 State of the Air report.
What types of jobs will be available?
According to the NJ Council on the Green Economy’s 2022 Green Jobs for a Sustainable Future report, NJ expects to see an additional 314,888 net job-years supported over the next 10 years based on current green policies and investments enacted across New Jersey to date. Job growth is expected in the following industries: building decarbonization (including energy efficiency-related work, renewable installation, and building electrification), offshore wind, construction, professional and business services including engineering, legal, architectural, administrative support, and consulting jobs.
What workforce development programs currently exist?
Burning garbage is NOT a renewable energy source. So why does New Jersey law consider it “clean”?
Facilities known as trash incinerators burn garbage to create electricity. They will use the greenwashing term “energy recovery”. This process releases harmful pollution into the air, contributing to asthma and other health issues for residents living in Newark, Rahway, and Camden near the state’s largest incineration facilities. New Jersey’s outdated law labels burning garbage a “clean, renewable” energy source, but in reality incineration adds harmful chemicals and debris to the air and water, exacerbating health inequities for these overburdened communities . On top of this, when trash is part of their business model, these companies have no incentive to reduce waste in our communities. Companies operating trash incinerators, like Covanta Energy, are paid subsidies to run them. They use our own tax dollars to sicken us and keep trash, trucks and pollutants flowing. Coalition partners – in particular, environmental justice groups – are working to right that wrong and achieve environmental justice by removing incineration from the list of clean energy sources. Click here to learn more.
How can I access bill assistance programs and support for energy efficiency upgrades?
Check out this comprehensive toolkit detailing NJ's weatherization and energy assistance programs! Developed by the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey.