Environmental Research Foundation, June 15, 2009

ALTERNATIVES TO THE PURGEN COAL PLANT IN LINDEN

By Peter Montague

Hi, folks--

As we consider the need for a new 500-megaWatt IGCC chemical factory and coal plant in a DEP-designated EJ community that is already overburdened with air pollution (Linden, N.J.), we can ask whether this new PurGen coal plant could be avoided by

(a) energy conservation and improved efficiency; and/or

(b) by alternative technologies that rely on renewable energy such as wind, geothermal, and direct solar (photovoltaic [pv] panels).

We know, for example, that Germany is the world's leader in installed solar panels and it has climate and weather similar to southern Alaska. What works in Germany should work even better in New Jersey.

I am particularly interested in hearing comments about offshore wind energy from groups with expertise in ocean ecosystems and ocean protection (see last 2 items on the list below).

Finally, does anyone know of a really good study of the potential for conservation and energy efficiency to avert the need for new sources of energy SPECIFIC TO NEW JERSEY?

One of the most powerful arguments we could develop would be, "No one besides the coal industry needs this new Purgen plant." Can we do that? --Peter M.

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Here are some credible published resources on alternatives to coal and nuclear:

1. Arjun Makhijani, Carbon-Free and Nuclear-Free: A Roadmap for U.S. Energy Policy published in 2007 by the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research (IEER) in Takoma Park, Md. 220 ogs.

2. Arjun Makhijani, "The Technical and Economic Feasibility of a Carbon-Free and Nuclear-Free Energy System in the United States" published March 2009 by the Institute for Energy and Environmental Studies (IEER) in Takoma Park, Md. 19 pgs.

3. Lester R. Brown, Plan B. 3.0; Mobilizing to Save Civilization published by W.W. Norton in 2008. 399 pages. Describes a nuclear- free, carbon-free energy future. You can buy it or get it free.

4. Article about Lester Brown's "Plan B 3.0" from Rachel's News:

5. A study in 2007 by researchers from University of Delaware and Stanford, published in Geophysical Research Letters, found that offshore wind turbines could meet the energy needs of all of the Atlantic coastal states.

6. A 2008 press release from PSE&G says the company is building a 350 megaWatt "wind farm" 16 to 20 miles off the N.J. coast.

You can get more detail here.