The board that regulates New Jersey's utilities has approved a nearly half-billion-dollar solar energy plan proposed by the state's largest energy company.

Patricia Fenn Gallery, Getty Images
Patricia Fenn Gallery, Getty Images
loading...

Wednesday's vote by the Board of Public Utilities means Public Service Electric and Gas can go ahead with a $247 million extension of a program that aims to develop solar installations, primarily on unused landfills and former industrial sites known as brownfields.

The other program will spend nearly $200 million on loans, mainly for residential and business customers.

The state-appointed advocate for utility customers had criticized the landfill plan as creating an unfair market advantage for PSE&G, since the company is expected to recover its costs through rate increases.

The board recommended requiring more frequent financial reports than PSE&G had proposed.

 

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

More From New Jersey 101.5 FM