ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Joseph Fiordaliso, who was implementing one of many nation’s most aggressive clear vitality applications as head of New Jersey’s state utilities regulation board, has died. He was 78.
The governor’s workplace mentioned Thursday that Fiordaliso died Wednesday. It didn’t present a reason behind dying.
Fiordaliso, who had been president of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities since 2018, usually spoke of his grandchildren when describing the kind of planet he hoped to go away to them – one through which inexperienced vitality sources like wind, photo voltaic and geothermal assist cut back the worst results of local weather change by changing the burning of fossil fuels.
Gov. Phil Murphy referred to as Fiordaliso, who was born in Newark, “a consummate public servant, a trusted colleague, and a good friend.”
“Joe skillfully led our work to responsibly transition to a clean energy economy while always putting the needs of consumers first,” the governor mentioned in a information launch. “He also was a key figure in our storm response efforts and in ensuring that all New Jerseyans had access to critical services like clean water, electricity, and broadband.”
Fiordaliso was not often seen in public with out sporting a lapel pin within the form of a wind turbine, signifying his sturdy help for offshore wind vitality growth.
Murphy is making an attempt to make New Jersey the East Coast chief in offshore wind energy initiatives. It has already authorised three wind farms, and 4 different initiatives have been proposed and are awaiting analysis by state and federal regulators.
Jeff Tittel, a longtime environmentalist, labored with Fiordaliso for practically 30 years in numerous native and state capacities, and mentioned his dying comes at an important time in New Jersey’s transition away from burning fossil fuels.
“He was a dedicated public servant and fighter for clean energy,” Tittel mentioned. “He has worked to make green energy a reality and to make energy more affordable. His passing has happened at a time when renewable energy is at a tipping point, and his leadership at this important period will be missed.”
One of Fiordaliso’s final main acts was presiding over the adoption in late July of a collection of aggressive “decarbonization” efforts designed to incentivize buildings to change from pure gasoline warmth to electrical.
Fiordaliso additionally angrily lashed out at these he referred to as purveyors of disinformation in opposition to clear vitality initiatives, together with claims that the federal government plans to remove gas-burning stoves.
He additionally oversaw the rollout of electrical automobile charging stations in numerous components of the state, and the conversion of some heavy-duty authorities automobiles from gasoline to electrical energy.
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