Deliberating on Statewide Energy Targets

Abstract

This article reflects on a process of analytic deliberation about the future energy economy of New Jersey. Scenario analysis looking forward thirty years identifies tradeoffs and synergies among environmental, economic, and security objectives identified by stakeholders. Modest, unilateral greenhouse gas reductions seem affordable and may improve energy security. More dramatic, long-term greenhouse gas reductions seem less feasible given current technologies and policies, indicating the need for research now to invent “Solution X.” The two-year effort has helped align expectations among divergent policy actors and also helped embolden political leaders, who have acted in parallel with this project rather than waiting for its conclusion.