Essay Sample on Piscataway Municipality To Improve Access To Clean Energy: Bulk Purchases For Lower Rates

Introduction

Piscataway municipality intends to implement a policy that would improve access to clean energy in the Township. Under this proposal, the municipal government will purchase renewable electricity for its residents at discounted bulk rates rather than individuals buying it from third parties. There are two rationales behind the policy. First, it is cost-effective as it enables Piscataway to purchase electricity in bulk. Town residents would save cost, considering that the per-unit price is lower when things are bought in bulk. Secondly, the adoption of the policy would reduce pollution because it requires contractors to supply clean, renewable energy.

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The rationale for the community energy program is based on facts. An essential fact is the relationship between using renewable energy and environmental pollution. In this regard, the policy advocates for a 100% clean energy by 2035, implying that it would help improve the quality of air and public health at Piscataway (Kudisch, 2019). Besides, the policy is based on economic facts because it recognizes that buying items in bulk reduces the cost per unit.

The Indented Objectives of the Policy

Piscataway's energy aggregation program serves three objectives. First, it is intended to protect the environmental future of the town by minimizing air pollution. The implementation of the policy would lead to fully renewable energy supply by 2035 (Kudisch, 2019). Secondly, it is aimed at saving the cost of renewable energy supply in the town. Its adoption, therefore, is a win for cost-saving. Thirdly, the proposal is aimed at improving access to clean energy at Piscataway. The reason is that a decline in the cost of electricity would make renewable energy affordable to many people across the municipality. Thirdly, Piscataway's renewable energy program is intended to promote healthy living in the town because its implementation is going to protect clean air.

Alternative Methods to Implement the Policy

Piscataway can enact a law that increases taxes on non-renewable energy and also provide subsidies for clean sources of electricity. This proposal would lead to an increase in the number of renewable energy supplies in the municipality. As such, the alternative is essential because it supports the main objective of the original policy_ to protect the environment. Besides, the proposal is advantageous because it is cost-effective. It also leads to an increase in the quality of energy as it paves the way for contractors to invest in clean electricity. However, the alternative is disadvantageous since it may take a long time to achieve the desired results.

Another alternative is the implementation of feed-in-tariffs (FIT). Under this method, the municipal government would pay the suppliers for every unit of renewable energy injected into its electricity grid. The local government would then contract third parties to supply clean energy to households at Piscataway. The proposal is advantageous because it guarantees the supply of clean energy at affordable prices. The municipality would be in charge of the electricity grid, suggesting that Piscataway can easily achieve a 100% supply of clean energy. However, this alternative is disadvantageous in that the project is costly to the municipality.

Recommendation

Piscataway should implement the first alternative by enacting legislation that would increase taxes on non-renewable energy and provide subsidies for clean electricity. Offering tax incentives would entice many third party contractors to invest in renewable sources of energy. More importantly, competition between suppliers would make clean energy affordable. This situation suggests that the policy supports the municipality to achieve its initial objectives.

Reference

Kudisch B. (2019, November 6). Residents pass town-wide clean energy deal in 1st of its kind N.J. vote. The Star-Ledger [New Jersey].