New Jersey Governor Chris Christie throws a kind push toward solar.

Good news is on the rise for those who have already gone solar in New Jersey but especially for those who are looking to dive into the sun-inspired approach in the near future.

Governor Chris Christie recently released his EMP, or Energy Master Plan. Its contents sum up his intentions for energy implementation over the next decade.

"Since issuance of the 2008 EMP, New Jersey’s economy, like that of the U.S. as a whole, has experienced a sharp reversal, while New Jersey’s solar industry has grown significantly," Christie admits.

"Renewable energy sources, particularly solar, may provide optimum benefits in reducing peak demand since peak demand periods generally coincide with periods in which solar facilities are producing at their highest capacity," Christie details in the plan.

And while the plan is a bit general in order to keep options flexible for future shifts in what's done and how energy is handled, it shows that Christie is increasing his support in solar energy and bringing a more fair route to SRECs, or Solar Renewable Energy Credits.

"The State will consider programs to allow New Jersey residents who have been unable to take advantage of individual PV systems to do so and will support an extension of the long-term contracting programs offered by the electric distribution companies," Christie continues.

While it's early yet and this EMP for the next 10 years is freshly on record, it's a hopeful sign that Christie is looking to expand opportunities for solar so that they reach more and more people in New Jersey.

Electric bills soar $300 in 5 years, reports USA Today.

"Households paid a record $1,419 on average for electricity in 2010, the fifth consecutive yearly increase above the inflation rate, a USA TODAY analysis of government data found," writes reporter Dennis Cauchon. "The jump has added about $300 a year to what households pay for electricity."

This spiking in cost is the most substantial continued rise in electricity rates since prices experienced the last severe increase in the 1970s.

"Electricity is consuming a greater share of Americans' after-tax income than at any time since 1996 — about $1.50 of every $100 in income at a time when income growth has stagnated, a USA TODAY analysis of Bureau of Economic Analysis data found," Cauchon elaborates.

"Utilities are what people's budgets start with," points out Chris Estes, executive director of the North Carolina Housing Coalition, who is standing behind his organization and electricity customers in strong disapproval of Duke Energy's intended bump in electricity rates. 
This all too easily echoes of a growing hardship for anyone connected to traditional utility grids across the nation.

"Duke Energy says the rate increase is needed to pay for replacing old power plants and making the transmission system more reliable," notes Cauchon. "The Charlotte-based utility [provider] has reached a tentative agreement with North Carolina to raise rates 7.2 percent in February, lower than its original 17 percent request."

With electricity rates anticipated to escalate away from once-known stability in pricing, choose renewable energy in solar power.

GP.Energy has flexible no or low money down leasing and locked-in rates, along with a prepay option, and we cover insurance maintenance, on top of that.

With this jump into a smarter and more pro-environmental approach to energy in your home, you'll have decreased bills because of finally being your own utility provider through the sun's strong rays.

Natural gas rates to bump upward for PECO customers.

A little slip of paper noting a 12.1 percent increase in energy costs on upcoming bills during the cold months of 2011-2012 invited itself into the billed mailings of PECO natural gas customers last week.

It reads, "During the winter season, an average residential heating customer's monthly bill of 160 Ccf of gas usage will increase by $18.65 from $153.71 to $172.36, or 12.1 percent compared with current rates."

This increase is effective as of December 1.

While many utility companies are trying to convey that prices ahead aren't much different than around this time last year, remember that precarious cost increases in most energy methods have been a long time coming, for most Americans.

Meanwhile, shifting into alternative energy is becoming less complex and costly than it was years ago, especially with GP.Easy financing choices shaped to be flexible for those who want the simplicity of a no or low money down lease or a prepay for solar installations either on your roof or in your yard. Soak up the sun the good way.

All of our financing options bring you immediate savings on your home energy costs while electricity rates continually creep their way up. With GP.Energy, insurance and maintenance is on us, too. To find out more, visit our website and peruse the possibilities.

Fracking shown in connection with water contamination in Pavillion, Wyoming.

This is fracking craaazzzzy. 

In early December, the EPA published a draft of a report illustrating that a strong link has been made between fracking and contamination of drinking water in Pavillion, Wyoming.

Fracking is a hydraulic fracturing process used in extracting natural gases from underground.

"The draft report indicates that groundwater in the aquifer contains compounds likely associated with gas production practices, including hydraulic fracturing," explains the EPA. "The samples were consistent with chemicals identified in earlier EPA results released in 2010 and are generally below established health and safety standards."

When drilling for natural gas is at least somewhat evidently problematic, ponder pushing forward with and adopting the more environmentally responsible approach of solar energy, working with nature instead of against it and a better quality of human lives, too. The good of sun can go a long way.

Welcome to the solar-speak of GP.Energy.

At GreenPointe.Energy, our goal is to make going solar easy, or what we call GP.Easy.

In a time when life only becomes busier and more bustling with each week that passes, when the days are their own challenge in the rush of so many brain-spent and even typed to-do-lists, we're thrilled to be able to bring you solar simplified.

Our affordable renewable energy solutions will stir your electricity bills into savings-mode. Consider how a sun-powered home is quite a want-worthy alternative when compared to just standing by, watching your traditional energy consumption skyrocket as electricity prices continue to bump their way upward.

Ask about our flexible financing options and how we can customize your solar setup to keep it GP.Easy on you, all while prepping you to soak up the sun for the better.

To find out more, visit our website and eye-glimpse us on Facebook and Twitter.