Global Warming and a New Energy Economy

windmill NJ Environmental Federation advocates for a safe, clean and sustainable energy economy (including renewable energy sources like solar and wind) and opposes dirty energy sources like coal, nuclear and liquid natural gas.

Clean Energy Campaigns:

Clean Energy Successes and Challenges

RGGI and Global Warming

With support of the NJ Legislature, we helped pass a bill (S1322/A1998) that would keep New Jersey in the successful Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) program, one of the strongest clean energy and clean air initiatives in the nation. However, Governor Christie has vetoed the bill, threatening public health, air quality, climate change, and our green economy. We are asking the NJ Legislature to step up to the plate and override his veto.
Ensured passage of the historic Global Warming Response Act in 2007, which commits the state to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 20% by 2020 and by at least 80% by 2050. The law is the toughest global warming law in the nation. Currently, we are working to ensure the state's Energy Master Plan is strengthened to meet the 2020 goals and set the state on track to meet the 2050 goals.

Fracking:

NJEF helped pass a bill (A575/S3049) that would ban fracking waste from being discharged in New Jersey's waters. Unfortunately, Governor Christie vetoed it. We are urging the NJ Legislature to override his veto.

LNG:

Helped ensure Gov. Christie's strong opposition to LNG (liquid natural gas) offshore project. On Feb 8, 2011, Gov. Christie outright vetoed the project, which would bring dependence on foreign fossil fuels, greenhouse gas emissions, habitat destruction, security risks, and pollution to the region, and would close-off ocean waters to recreational and commercial uses.

Wind Power:

Ensured passage of the Offshore Wind Economic Development Act into law to help spur economic growth in New Jersey through the development of renewable energy resources and the creation of green jobs. This legislation will establish an offshore wind renewable energy certificate program (OREC) and will make available financial assistance and tax credits from existing programs for businesses that construct manufacturing, assemblage and water access facilities to support the development of qualified offshore wind projects.

Oyster Creek:

We have been a lead organizer to heighten awareness about the inherent safety flaws of the Oyster Creek - a General Electric Boiling Water Reactor of the same design as Fukushima - the nation's oldest operating commercial nuclear plant and without a closed cycle cooling system. We have forced the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and NJDEP to take a much tougher line with Oyster Creek including being parties to the recent NRC rulings that's put a halt to new nukes due to waste disposal issues.
In 2010, we helped ensure that Oyster Creek Nuclear Power Plant, one of the oldest nuclear plants with the second worst safety record in the nation, is shut down in 9 years. This is a validation of years of grassroots and legal efforts to prove that Oyster Creek should never have been relicensed to operate for 20 years beyond its retirement date. In addition, Oyster Creek's closure opens up new avenues for the state to pursue renewable energy and green technology.
In 2006, we succeeded in pushing NJ regulators to recommend cooling towers at Oyster Creek Nuclear Power Plant. The ruling is important in protecting our fisheries, water resources, and ecosystem in Barnegat Bay. In addition, it is widely expected to increase pressure for towers at the Salem nuclear plants on the Delaware River.

Purgen:

Helped form the Arthur Kill Watershed Alliance to successfully pressure the Linden City Council to reject a plan to build PurGen, a controversial coal degasification plant. Numerous environmental and economic concerns surround the $5 billion project, including untested and unproven carbon capture and sequestration technology that could jeopardize the state's attempts to help mitigate global warming.

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