Environmental Research Foundation  [Printer-friendly version]
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.