Dear Editor: During 1999, I attended over 110 civic meetings in Hudson and Bergen Counties to discuss energy deregulation as legislated in the Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act. This Act created a new energy marketplace for New Jersey. Where there was once a monopoly, there is competition — and important choices to be made. Questions about comparing energy costs and environmental impacts from cheap, but dirty, energy sources were among the most asked. Deregulation in New Jersey gives customers the information they need if they want to take the environmental impact of their energy use into consideration. Every energy supplier must provide a standardized energy label which will tell a customer about fuel mix (coal, gas, oil, nuclear), renewable energy sources (hydro, wind) and the energy supplier’s air emissions from power generation, such as, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and sulfuric acid. New Jersey’s air quality has been improving since 1988, and the selection of a new energy supplier need not be accompanied by dirtier air. Energy users need to be aware of these consequences and consider factoring the environmental impact resulting from the selection of various energy suppliers, into their choice. Richard Dwyer Regional Public Affairs Manager PSE&G