Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.
   – President Barack Obama

We believe our own results and actions to date reflect this: From switching to compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs to taking advantage of PSE&G’s solar loan program, people are heeding the call. Companies like PSEG Renewable Energy are exploring wind farms off the Jersey coast, and harnessing the power of compressed air in underground caverns. We are also upgrading the transmission grid by seeking approval to build a 500,000-volt, high-capacity power line to prevent overloaded circuits and costly blackouts in our region.

We agree with President Obama that there is more work to do. Last week, to help boost the state’s economy, PSE&G announced plans to spend $888 million to speed up improvements in its gas and electric infrastructure and advance energy conservation to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The proposals – filed with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities – will help the state reach its aggressive energy goals. But they will also jump-start the ailing economy by stimulating the purchase of additional goods and services and creating an estimated 1,700 jobs.

For example, the $698 million in infrastructure projects includes upgrading street lights with more efficient induction fluorescent technology. Replacing older equipment with “smart grid” components will improve network reliability by reducing costly outages. In addition, the proposed $190 million in energy efficiency initiatives will expand an existing program, approved by the BPU last year, that is putting programmable thermostats, CFLs and other energy-saving measures to work directly in customers’ homes ­– reducing carbon emissions and overall customer bills.

There’s no time to waste. That’s why we have asked the BPU to approve our proposals by April 1.

We have our call to action. And we’re ready to take up the challenge.

What’s your view? Please let us know at Opinion@PSEG.com.