Although it contains some of the largest oil refineries in the US, New Jersey produces little of its own energy, importing much of its electric power and virtually all of its fossil fuels.
In 1999, there were 31 electric generating plants in New Jersey; installed capacity (utility and nonutility) totaled 16.7 million kW. Power production amounted to 57 billion kWh. In 2000 New Jersey's total per capita energy consumption was 322 million Btu (81.1 million kcal), ranking it 33rd among the 50 states.
New Jersey had four nuclear reactors in operation in 2001. Two of them, at Salem, are operated by Public Service Electric and Gas (PSEandG), the state's largest utility. Another reactor, at Hope Creek, began operation in 1986, and the Oyster Creek reactor received its operating license in 1991. Nuclear generating stations accounted for 51% of the electric power generated in the state in 1999, up from only 16.5% in 1983.