Think jobs in fossil fuels are becoming extinct? Think again. A New Jersey coal plant is adding new infrastructure to an old station in an attempt to reduce toxic waste and go green. Careers in architecture, trades and conservation are just a few of the opportunities created by this plan.

The 41 year old Public Service Enterprise Group’s Hudson generating plant in New Jersey has been described as a dinosaur. Producing more than 5 million tons of Carbon Dioxide in 2008, and being responsible for almost 20% of the Carbon Dioxide released in New Jersey, this dinosaur is still dangerous. However, despite calls for its closure the plant, which services over 750,000 homes and employs over 1000 people, is set to receive a $700 million facelift.

The plant is attempting to clean up their toxic chemical waste by building filters, which will reduce certain emissions but will do little to curb the release of Carbon. Despite critics’ claims that coal plants should be shut down, PSEG President Richard Lopriore is confident that the upgrade will benefit the coal industry: “We have the coal here. We know how to run the coal. We know how to run it reliably and soon we’ll have the cleanest coal technology available.” The plan, which is being enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency, will ensure that the plant meets standards set by the federal government’s Clean Air Act. When it is finished the plant will be among the 30 cleanest facilities out of the 400 national coal plants.

North Jersey newspaper The Record claims that although the upgrade will not cut down Carbon emissions, which are the most prominent greenhouse grass, other energy sources like solar and wind are unlikely to grow fast enough to replace the demand for coal. PSEG have been investigating renewable energy and has allocated almost $2 billion for other projects. The upgrade of the Hudson plant alone will generate over 1000 construction jobs and since the plant will need continuous servicing it will continue to be a source of employment for electricians welders and other trade workers. According to the Clean Air Council “there seems to be no practical way to eliminate coal as a significant source of electricity.”

The Report states: “Lopriore said renewable energy will dominate the industry as soon as it can be as dependable as fossil fuels. Until then, coal is here to stay.”