Dive Summary:

• A new proposal to reduce green energy spending by lowering the subsidies charged to businesses and residents is up for debate in New Jersey.
• Citing the success of past solar programs, N.J.’s Office of Clean Energy proposed to cut the $379 million used in 2012 to $227 million in 2014, and do away with government incentives for solar over the next four years.
• While New Jersey ranks 3rd in solar installations, the state’s clean energy program that created 13,000 jobs over the last five years has also cost the state $2.6 billion.

From the article:

“The issue has been particularly heated in recent years because both the Legislature and the Christie administration have repeatedly dipped into clean energy funds to help balance the state budget. In the upcoming budget proposed earlier this year by Gov. Chris Christie, another $152 million will be diverted from the fund, bringing the total appropriated from the account to more than $800 million under this administration."