Corzine Administration on Global Warming

TRENTON – Following a briefing by the Union of Concerned Scientists regarding the effects of global warming on New Jersey and the northeastern United States, Governor Jon S. Corzine issued the following statement.

“Overwhelming evidence has proved that global warming poses a serious threat and if we as a people continue on a course of inaction the planet will continue to warm, water levels will continue to rise and Atlantic City and our coastal communities will drown. In absence of leadership on the federal level, the fight to reduce greenhouse gases has now fallen upon the states. While it’s important for states to lead on initiatives like overall green house gas reduction, the real difference in this fight will be made through small contributions by individuals. Citizens must know that they can make a tremendous difference by simply driving less, using mass transit and switching to energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs.”

Highlights of Corzine Administration Initiatives to Combat Global Warming

Signed Legislation Making Aggressive Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals the Law:

In July of 2007, the Governor signed legislation to adopt proactive and ambitious goals for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in New Jersey. The order specifically calls for stabilizing greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, a 20 percent reduction. This is to be followed by a further reduction of emissions to 80% below 2006 levels by 2050. New Jersey is only the third state in the nation make greenhouse gas reduction goals law and these provisions were previously set in Executive Order 54 which the Governor signed in February. To reach this goal, the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will work with the Board of Public Utilities (BPU), the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and other stakeholders to evaluate methods to meet and exceed the 2020 target reductions. The DEP Commissioner will make specific recommendations to meet the targets while taking into account the economic benefits and costs of implementing these recommendations. The order calls on the DEP to develop a 1990 greenhouse gas emission inventory as well as a system for monitoring current greenhouse gas levels so that progress toward goals can be accurately tracked. The law will also ensure that all electricity imported into New Jersey from power generation facilities in other states meets New Jersey’s rigorous emission standards.

Took on Leadership Role in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative:

Under the Corzine Administration, the NJ Department of Environmental Protection and NJ Board of Public Utilities have taken on leadership roles in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a ten state cooperative effort to implement a regional mandatory cap and trade program in the Northeast and Mid Atlantic addressing carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. The first mandatory market-based program to reduce carbon emissions in the U.S., the program will cap regional power plant carbon dioxide emissions at approximately current levels from 2009 through 2014 and reduce emissions 10 percent by 2019. On August 15, 2006, a set of model regulations establishing the cap-and-trade program was released. Each participating RGGI state will proceed to adopt these regulations, either by rulemaking or legislation.

Created Energy Savings Post:

On Earth Day in 2006, the Governor signed Executive Order 11 which addresses energy efficiency, renewable energy and recycled products.  The order will move the State forward as an environmental steward and the Governor’s goal of reducing energy usage 20%, statewide, by 2020.  The order created the position of Director of Energy Savings within the Department of Treasury.  John Rhodes was appointed to this position the following December.  The Director of Energy Savings is responsible for conducting energy audits at state buildings and facilities, taking steps to maximize New Jersey’s purchasing power by buying energy in bulk, and helping develop a plan for the use of renewable energy and advanced energy sources.  Implementation of this platform will result not only in environmental gains, but also energy and financial savings.

Leading the Nation in Renewable Energy Mandates:

On April 12, 2006, the NJBPU approved new regulations which expand the State’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) by extending the existing goals out to 2020 and increasing the required amount of renewable energy and solar energy. Under the newly adopted regulations, 20 percent of New Jersey’s electricity must come from renewable sources by 2020. The new regulations also include a 2-percent solar set aside which is forecast to require 1500 MW, the nation’s largest solar commitment relative to population and electricity consumption. These new regulations will increase the use of renewable resources, thereby providing greater fuel diversity for New Jersey while simultaneously reducing Greenhouse gas, diminishing price volatility, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and our environment.

Launched Energy Planning Initiative:

In October of 2006, the Governor announced the commencement of a year-long interagency planning process that will culminate in an Energy Master Plan, a long-term energy vision for the state that plans for the state’s energy needs through 2020. The Energy Master Plan will fundamentally address three areas: security, safety, and reliability of prices of energy supply and services; economic impact of energy production, transportation, and end use; and environmental impact associated with the production of energy.  The state is committed to creating an aggressive, far-reaching and forward-thinking energy plan. It will assure New Jersey residents and businesses access to a stable, steady supply of affordable energy while maintaining and expanding our state’s leadership position in the fight against global warming.

Launched the Clean Power Choice Program:

In April of 2006, the Board of Public Utilities announced the Launch of the Clean Power Choice Program.  This Program provides an opportunity for state residents to elect to use renewable energy through an insert in their utility bill.

Successful Litigation against Federal Government Results in New Standards for Energy Efficiency:

In November of 2006, the Attorney General’s Office announced that the federal Department of Energy (DOE) will set new standards to sharply increase the energy efficiency of many types of domestic appliances, such as home ranges and ovens, air conditioners and dishwashers. The action resolves a federal lawsuit against DOE brought by New Jersey and 14 other states, the City of New York and three public interest groups.  According to DOE’s own estimates, efficiency standards resulting from the settlement may reduce energy use by as much as 35 quadrillion BTUs over an approximately 30-year period. By comparison, all U.S. households combined consumed 21 quadrillion BTUs of energy in 2004. The standards also have the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gases, and annual carbon dioxide emissions could be reduced by as much as 103 million metric tons a year. That is the equivalent of eliminating emissions from more than 18 million cars and light trucks from America’s roads.

Protecting Citizen’s from Polluting Out-of-State Coal-Fired Power Plants:

In February of 2007, the Attorney General’s Office filed a federal lawsuit against the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for violating the Clean Air Act. The suit was filed after the EPA failed to act on a petition from the state Department of Environmental Protection that objected to a proposed operating permit for a coal-fired power plant in Pennsylvania.  Known as the Portland Generating Station, the Reliant-owned plant is located directly across the Delaware River from Warren County, New Jersey. The Portland plant made modifications allowing it to increase its emissions of air pollutants without installing the pollution controls required under the Clean Air Act. Specifically, the permit lacks heat input limits which are necessary to avoid excessive emissions for particulate matter and hazardous air pollutants. The Portland coal-fired plant is located upwind of New Jersey’s Highlands where prevailing winds carry its air pollution directly into the state.

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Photos and audio and video clips from Governor Corzine's public events are available in the Governor's Newsroom section on the State of New Jersey web page, http://www.nj.gov/governor/news/