TRENTON — Environmental advocates won a symbolic victory today when a Senate panel advanced a bill to block Gov. Chris Christie’s retreat from a regional program to curb air pollution that contributes to climate change. But that did not satisfy more than 100 at a Statehouse rally against Christie’s environmental agenda, which they say threatens more than a decade...
N.J. Gov. Chris Christie, shown in this May Star-Ledger file photo, has stated he will take New Jersey out of a cap and trade environmental program because of its ineffectiveness. A Senate panel today advanced a bill blocking Christie's retreat from the program, although Christie has said his decision to leave the program is final and will probably veto the bill.TRENTON — Environmental advocates won a symbolic victory today when a Senate panel advanced a bill to block Gov. Chris Christie’s retreat from a regional program to curb air pollution that contributes to climate change.
But that did not satisfy more than 100 at a Statehouse rally against Christie’s environmental agenda, which they say threatens more than a decade of progress.
"I’m a mom. I have two kids that mean the world to me," said Dena Mottola Jaborska, executive director of Environment New Jersey. "I’m not going to let Chris Christie spoil their future with pollution."
The bill (S2946), co-sponsored by Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) and Bob Smith (D-Middlesex), would require the state to remain in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
The cap-and-trade program, the first of its kind, sets a cap on power plant emissions of carbon dioxide in 10 states, and allows plant operators to buy and sell credits if they emit more or less of the gas. Proceeds from the credits go back to participating states to help pay for renewable energy projects.
Christie last month announced New Jersey will leave the program by the end of the year, calling it a "failure," "gimmicky" and a useless tax on residents and businesses.
"We should not allow RGGI to become a victim of a political agenda that has nothing to do with the environment or the economy or New Jersey," Jeff Tittel, head of New Jersey Sierra Club, told the panel.
Steve Lonegan, director of the New Jersey chapter of Americans for Prosperity, a conservative advocacy group, lobbied for months against the greenhouse gas program and told the Senate panel today that the governor made the right decision.
"Number one, it is devious and deceptive. Number two, it is immoral. And Number three, it is economically destructive," Lonegan said.
An Assembly panel approved identical legislation last week. If the bills pass the Legislature, Christie will probably veto them. His office has said that his decision to leave the program is "final."
Previous coverage:
• Gov. Christie declares regional cap-and-trade initiative ineffective, 'gimmicky' partnership
• Gov. Christie announces N.J. pulling out of regional environmental initiative
• Gov. Chris Christie receives mixed reviews from advocacy group for his environmental record