Over 300 local government officials gathered at the New Brunswick Hyatt Regency on Wednesday to learn about New Jersey’s programs and financial incentives for renewable energy.

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and Department of Community Affairs sponsored the program and allowed officials from different towns, counties and local authorities to be informed. They were informed of a number of programs geared to help local governments save money and protect the environment by reaching the goals set by Governor Jon S. Corzine’s Energy Master Plan.

The new Energy Savings Improvement Program was on the agenda, informing the attendees about the state’s new Solar Power Purchase Agreements and other energy policy initiatives.

Local:

Conservatives are fighting back against what they see as excessive government spending and bailouts. More than 100 state residents stood in the rain and wind in Vineland, N.J. on Wednesday to protest.

Recently, hundreds of people organized through online resources such as Twitter, Facebook, videos and blogs, held “tea party” protests in northern New Jersey.

“TEA” stands for Taxed Enough Already, according to organizers. The protests are in responses to anger of people who believe the government is taking from them too much.

The conservatives are using online resources, like Obama did during the ’08 campaign, in order to spread the word and to get their voices heard. Currently, protesters are comparing themselves to the Revolutionary War protests in Boston, saying that like their colonial forefathers, their voices are not being heard by the government.

International:

Pirates attacked a U.S. flagged cargo ship off Somalia on Tuesday, but did not board the damaged ship. The pirates used automatic weapons and rockets to attack the Liberty Sun, which requested help from the U.S. Navy immediately.

The USS Bainbridge turned to go to the scene and aid the ship. When they arrived, the pirates were already gone. The Bainbridge was one of the ships who responded and helped rescue Captain Richard Phillips on Sunday after he was held captive for five days.

The crew was not injured in the attack, according to a statement from Liberty Maritime Corp of Lake Success, N.Y.

The ship was carrying food to Africa nations from Houston, Texas when it was attacked. Somali pirates hijacked two other cargo ships in the same area on early Tuesday.

National:

In light of Obama pushing a $3.5 trillion federal budget plan, Obama promised Wednesday to reform the “monstrous” U.S. tax system as Americans faced the tax deadline.

Obama made his promise on Tax Day while opponents pointed out what they see as wasteful spending by the administration and “tea party” protests were held in U.S. cities.

Some Democrats say that Obama’s federal budget plan holds too much deficit spending and tax cuts. Obama has already cut taxes for 95 percent of Americans and will continue with his pledge of no higher taxes for anyone earning less than $250,000 a year.