[Updated at 2:37 p.m. on Friday, May 27, 2011 to include related news stories]
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie pleased business groups but outraged the state's environmental community today by announcing that he's pulling the state out of RGGI,
the 10-state regional cap-and-trade system that charges industries for CO2 emissions
and funnels the money into renewable energy and energy-conservation programs.
At a news conference, Christie acknowledged the validity of climate change science but labeled the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative as a 'gimmicky program" that had failed to combat the problem of global warming and was only driving up the cost of electric energy in the state. News conference video.
NJ Business and Industry Association President Philip Kirschner hailed the decision.
“RGGI’s cap-and-trade provisions increase costs to New Jersey businesses and consumers who are already paying some of the highest electricity rates in the nation,” he said. “New Jersey’s participation in RGGI, however, has virtually no positive impact on the environment. Even if the state meets its greenhouse-gas reduction goals, it would have an infinitesimal effect on the overall generation of greenhouse gases.”
Environmental and smart-growth organizations denounced the governor's decision.
Peter Kasabach, executive director of New Jersey Future, said:
“Contrary to the governor’s assertion, there is no evidence that businesses have been negatively affected by New Jersey’s participation in RGGI. In fact, over the long run, RGGI
is expected to make our companies more competitive, by increasing the supply of electricity from alternative sources, reducing demand through energy efficiency measures and bringing down the price of electricity for all users. The proceeds from RGGI would also provide financially strapped municipalities with resources to plan for sustainable land-use and transportation projects that reduce carbon emissions and energy use."
“Contrary to the governor’s assertion, there is no evidence that businesses have been negatively affected by New Jersey’s participation in RGGI. In fact, over the long run, RGGI
is expected to make our companies more competitive, by increasing the supply of electricity from alternative sources, reducing demand through energy efficiency measures and bringing down the price of electricity for all users. The proceeds from RGGI would also provide financially strapped municipalities with resources to plan for sustainable land-use and transportation projects that reduce carbon emissions and energy use."
"I’m glad the governor went to global warming school but he didn’t learn his lesson," said David Pringle, political director of New Jersey Environmental Federation, which backed Christie for the top office.
Matt Elliott of Environment New Jersey said the announcement "marks a grim day for New Jersey’s historic leadership on clean energy and global warming solutions."
"For over a decade, New Jersey has lead the nation in the effort to fight global warming and promote clean energy. Governor Christie’s announcement today undermines a decade’s worth of progress and leadership in New Jersey, and, if he is successful, could set us behind our neighboring states working to end the dirty and destructive addiction to fossil fuels," Elliott said.
The harshest remarks came from the Sierra Club's Jeff Tittle, a constant critic of the Christie Administration.
“Christie is taking the side of corporate polluters and the coal industry over the environment and health of the people of
Tittel called the decision "a tax cut for corporate polluters" that was "pushed by the Tea Party backed Americans for Prosperity, a front group for oil and coal interests."
There will be more reaction in the days ahead and it will be interesting to see how members of the state legislature react to the governor's decision.
Related:
Christie calls Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative a gimmick and failure
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Christie calls Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative a gimmick and failure
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie pulls out of greenhouse gas effort
Christie Pulls New Jersey From 10-State Climate Initiative
Gov. Christie Abandons Regional Clean Air Initiative
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New Jersey to Exit Carbon-Reduction Program
Christie continues attack on climate, environment
Christie Pulls New Jersey From 10-State Climate Initiative
Gov. Christie Abandons Regional Clean Air Initiative
Climate initiative flip-flop in N.J. is troublesome
Delaware environment: N.J. nixes pollution caps
New Jersey to Exit Carbon-Reduction Program
Christie continues attack on climate, environment
What's your take? Share your opinion in the box below. If one is not visible, click on the tiny 'comments' line.
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Tittel is a moron - this was not a "tax-cut for
ReplyDeletecorporate polluters". The carbon tax was a good idea for the entire country. The problem is that there are only 10 States and the revenue was only about 15% of the original projections. The carbon tax was eventually passed on to consumers thru higher prices. This action will convince businesses to stay in NJ and show that the Governor is tryin to
improve the economy
I'm extremely disappointed that Gov. Christie has pulled out of the climate contract. He is ignoring the need to protect people and the environment as well as the need for sustainable business practices in NJ.
ReplyDeleteNJ's action is disappointing development, to be sure. Yes, one can question whether cap-and-trade is the best approach towards combatting climate change. Yes, one can question whether regional efforts are truly an effective solution. But to say "it's not going to solve it, therefore let's abandon it" when dealing with a problem as complex as climate change is not the answer either. Lessons can be learned from the RGGI experience.
ReplyDeleteMichael Pisauro • NJ's attempt to pull out of RGGI is going to be really short sighted and will put us at a competitive disadvantage compared to the other RGGI states. Businesses based on renewable energy or energy efficiency will look to other states when determine where to locate and invest. The RGGI states will be able to use the RGGI money to create and fund policies favorable to investment. Business cannot plan and invest in NJ if NJ is changing course in the short term. We raid the clean energy fund and then leave RGGI. What message does that give the business community?
ReplyDeleteYEA!!!! It was nothing more than a scheme to stick it to the consumer and I'm glad that the Governor did it
ReplyDelete