BY BOB MARSHALL

COMMENTARY

Despite all the concerns and comments expressed recently about the operations of the Oyster Creek Generating Station from various environmental organizations, the hard facts regarding the tremendous local and state value of the facility remain as presented in our testimony, provided in full at www.njenergycoalition.org. At its core, this issue continues to be an economic one, and given the current economic climate, aims to pit local plant supporters against well-meaning but misinformed groups seeking to close Oyster Creek.

The New Jersey Energy Coalition, a broad-based advocacy group whose membership includes businesses, industry, labor leaders, civic organizations and distinguished citizens from across New Jersey, supports the continued operation of Oyster Creek and its current use of the once through cooling system.

Here are the facts.

In today's deregulated energy marketplace, all New Jerseyans benefit from Oyster Creek's excellent operating record and low cost electricity. Removing Oyster Creek from New Jersey's options of in-state energy supply will have severe economic and environmental consequences. Simply put, if cooling towers are mandated by the DEP, Oyster Creek will be shut down