“A 2017 US Energy Department report found clean electricity jobs outnumber paychecks provided by the fossil fuel industry by at least five to one. New Jersey’s long term economic stability is dependent on creating more family supporting union jobs across the green energy spectrum and in environmental justice communities. In our call for no more fossil fuel projects, Empower NJ seeks a just transition (wages, skill transfer and employment) for displaced fossil fuel and union workers. Whether an electrician, carpenter, laborer…, there is a great role and union job for you in the green economy,” stated Amy Goldsmith, NJ State Director of Clean Water Action.
“Climate change is an immediate and real threat to the state. The combination of sea level rise, increased storm events, and other climate impacts put our environment and communities at risk. The overwhelming scientific consensus says we may have as little as 12 years to reduce greenhouse gas levels before the Earth reaches a dangerous temperature. This is a dire situation and the state needs to do more immediately to avert it,” said John Reichman of BlueWaveNJ.
“We are in a climate crisis and things are getting worse. This report is an alarm bell going off. While we wait for the Governor Murphy to act, carbon emission are projected to go up 30% and 13 fossil fuel projects are going forward. He needs to take immediate action and put a moratorium in place. This is happening around the country. Seattle has a moratorium on new gas power plant, Los Angeles and Arizona just stopped major fossil fuel plants too. Three other NJ governors have put moratoriums during an environmental crisis. We need this so DEP can put programs in place to regulate and set standards for CO2 and GHG emissions. This will help regulate Christie’s rollbacks that make it easier to build pipelines and put in place laws that will let us get to 100% renewable. Our future and climate depend on it,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.
“If Governor Murphy stops these massive dirty energy projects, some of which are already procee-ding at their own risk, he would show that protecting our air, water, and climate is a higher priority than fossil fuel industry profits. The truth is the governor cannot have it both ways; if he is serious about battling the climate crisis, that means we can’t build the pipelines and power plants that will spew tons of planet-warming emissions. This is a make-or-break moment for Governor Murphy’s environmental legacy,” added Matthew Smith, a Senior Organizer with Food & Water Watch.
“We're under the climate gun from the impact of these baker’s dozen of fossil fuel infrastructure projects. The Empower NJ analysis of the cumulative carbon impact of these pipelines and power plants shows clearly we can’t hit our climate change goals if these projects get a green light. This report should serve as a road map for the Murphy Administration to move forward with a fossil fuel infrastructure moratorium to ensure we reach Gov. Murphy’s clean energy goals and protect public health and private property,” said Doug O’Malley, director of Environment New Jersey.
“Empower NJ's report explains that it is essential that New Jersey stop building fracked gas projects because they release methane, a greenhouse gas 86 times more efficient at trapping heat than carbon on a 20 year time frame, worse than coal. The myth that gas is better than other fossil fuels has led us down a deadly path that spurs fracking pollution and will doom our efforts to fight climate change here in New Jersey and beyond. Empower NJ has organized to change that,” said Tracy Carluccio, Deputy Director, Delaware Riverkeeper Network.
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A coalition of 58 environmental, citizen, faith, and progressive groups are part of a campaign called Empower NJ- No Fossil Fuel Projects Campaign. The campaign is calling on Governor Murphy to put a moratorium on new fossil fuel infrastructure until New Jersey has rules and standards in place to achieve our state’s 100% clean energy goals. Groups include: BlueWaveNJ, Citizen Action, Clean Water Action, Delaware Riverkeeper Network, Environment NJ, Food & Water Watch, Green Faith, Indivisibles, NJ Sierra Club, People Over Pipelines, UU Faith Action NJ, and more. www.empowernewjersey.com