Wayne Auto Spa

On the final day of New Jersey’s 213th Legislative Session, our bill that prohibits towns like Wayne from unreasonably restricting wind energy systems passed with bipartisan support and overwhelming margins. Governor Corzine signed the bill into law on January 18, 2010.

This new law once and for all settles the issue of our efforts to install a wind turbine at our car wash.

We won.

The adoption of this law during our pending litigation against Wayne Township, as a direct result of our lobbying efforts, is unprecedented — and speaks volumes. Indeed, fewer than 5% of bills introduced during this 2-year session became law.

Sen. Kevin O’Toole (R - 40th Leg. Dist.) voted in favor of this new law twice! A close political ally and friend of our chief opponent, Assemblyman Scott Rumana (R - 40th Leg. Dist.), O’Toole also represents Wayne Township.

O’Toole’s courageous vote in favor of this bill was a slap in Rumana’s face, a stunning rebuke of the junior legislator who has been dogged by the green car wash wind turbine controversy for more than three years. Of course, Rumana spoke against the bill on the Assembly floor and gave us more information behind the most recent illegal wind energy ordinance that Wayne Township adopted. (Thanks Scott!)

Immediately thereafter, the Assembly overwhelmingly approved the bill — and unambiguously rejected Rumana’s position.

Other republican allies of Rumana also broke ranks from him and voted for renewable energy, including well-respected party leaders Sen. Bill Baroni, Sen. Jennifer Beck & Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll.

Lots of folks now want to know when we will break ground for the installation.

Alas, we expect that Wayne’s Council will continue to resist the will of the Legislature and jerk us around a bit more before the judge instructs them to cease & desist.

Even a chicken with its head cut off runs around for a few minutes before it drops dead.

While I can’t be sure when the turbine will go up, there is no doubt whatsoever in the outcome.

Great thanks to Senator O’Toole, Senator Baroni, Senator Beck & Assemblyman Carroll for the courage to vote their conscience instead of playing bush-league, self-serving political games orchestrated by Rumana.

Bigger thanks to Senator Bob Smith for introducing this legislation and moving it through the legislature, along with Assemblyman John Mckeon, Mckeon’s Chief of Staff Ron Bothelo, Assemblyman DeAngelo, Assemblywoman Lampitt, Assemblyman Green and dozens of other legislators.

A step in the right direction in New Jersey — energy independence, construction & electrical worker jobs, resource conservation, cleaner air and cleaner government.

Next stop: Oral arguments on February 19, 2010 on our Summary Judgment Motion before Judge Volkert in Passaic County Superior Court.

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