Greg Lalevee, the longtime business manager of Local 825 of the International Union of Operating Engineers, has been around long enough to recall this most unusual sight: union leaders and environmental leaders standing together.
“I can remember 35 years ago, standing next to the Sierra Club, advocating for clean natural gas to replace coal,” he said.
It may be time to go back to the future, Lalevee said.
The failure of green energy efforts to produce capacity — really, anything — has put the state in a bind. Well-intentioned, yes? But the fact of the matter is, the impact of failed clean energy programs will have a dramatic impact on New Jersey as soon as this summer.
On June 1, electric prices are going to increase dramatically — approximately 20%. You’ve been warned about sticker shock.
Want a worst-case scenario? Prices could go up, and the grid could go out. Brownouts are possible due to lack of capacity, Lalevee said.
The fastest solution to the problem? Build more natural gas plants.
And, while that may seem like a lengthy process, Lalevee said it isn’t bad as it could be for one simple reason: Many projects were mothballed in favor of clean-energy alternatives.
Lalevee points to the CPV Woodbridge Energy Center expansion project in Keasbey, which was officially halted in the fall of 2023 — a victory for environmentalists, but not necessarily rate payers. The project would have involved building a new 630-megawatt gas-fired power plant, which would have significantly increased natural gas usage, but also potential emissions.
“There’s a spot right there with a connection to gas, and there’s probably still a set of blueprints to build it,” Lalevee said — before rattling off other possibilities around the state.
Lalevee estimated it would take 4-5 years to build — not 8-10 — but only if it could be fast-tracked.
That would be a challenge.
Environmental groups certainly will protest and file lawsuits — proving those kumbaya moments from three decades ago are gone for good.
Or are they?
Utilities Association conference starts today
The annual New Jersey Utilities Association conference, a gathering of top industry leaders and key decision makers, will run Wednesday-Thursday at the Hyatt Regency in Morristown.
Registration is now closed but click here to see the agenda.
Could building more plants be tied to a deal to provide funding for offshore wind projects? New York just struck such a deal.
Could natural gas cars — don’t laugh, there were more than 10,000 such cars on the road in California in 2023 — be something to push now that the electric vehicle mandate has been revoked?
To be sure, there are concerns about new gas plants. Tariffs and supply chain issues could slow the build and increase the cost. But, that’s no different than what would happen if offshore wind got going again.
Then, there’s this: What’s the alternative?
Studies have shown that energy needs in New Jersey are going to skyrocket in the next 25 years — and that doesn’t take into account the state’s desire to lead in artificial intelligence and, therefore, data centers.
The problem, Lalevee said, needs to be solved now.
“We’re in a crisis situation,” he said. “It’s build generation at all costs. And the quickest generation to build is gas.”
Luckily, Lalevee said, the state has an election coming up fast.
He said the winner must act quickly. And that this should be a top priority for the next administration.
“If I were elected governor, one of the first things I’d do during my transition period is get the energy providers from our distribution networks and ask one simple question: What are we going to do here?” he said.
“And then it would be taking those 90 days til I put my hand on the Bible to set all the pins in place so the minute I take my oath, we’re moving. This isn’t about Master Plans or having another study. This is a get-things-done moment.
“We don’t have any more time for nonsense.”
