“Renewable energy not only helps meet our goals of increasing sustainability and protecting the environment, but can be an engine for economic growth and the creation of good-paying jobs for the people of our state.”
—New Jersey Governor Chris Christie

From time to time—although not frequently enough—I get to point out on this blog that some Republicans support concepts that either tackle global warming or support green energy. This is especially true when these Republicans realize that it can support conservative ideologies by creating jobs and supporting businesses.

The latest GOP member to make such a move is New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. One of the best parts of this story is that he’s sticking to what he promised he would do when he campaigned for the job of Governor back in 2009. He supported green energy and was very vocal about what it could achieve. Here’s his video from that campaign outlining his attitudes on the topic.

Earlier this week, Christie signed a bill into law that both expands and stabilizes the solar power industry in the Garden State. New Jersey is currently ranked second in solar markets within the Union, producing 800 megawatts of electricity, about one percent of the state’s total electricity needs. Solar energy has also created about 3,000 jobs in the process.

As Christie describes it, “Since my time running for office, I made it clear that my Administration would be unrivaled in our aggressive support for the development of renewable sources of energy in New Jersey. The bill I am signing today furthers these goals and will help us remain a national leader in the solar energy industry as we continue to promote innovative approaches to solar development, like developing landfills and other unusable lands and transforming them into sources of usable clean energy, all while holding down costs for families and businesses.”

This is a good move for the state of New Jersey. it creates jobs, promotes business, and supports green energy all at the same time. Perhaps if New Jersey was sitting on huge deposits of oil or tar sands, Christie might sing a different tune. But for any state or province that doesn’t have its own source of fossil files to exploit—I’m looking at you Texas and Alberta—then it only makes sense to look to the renewables that are available.

Once again, I give credit where credit’s due. Thank you Chris Christie for doing what’s best for your state rather than simply following what so many from the GOP feel you should be doing.