In September, Environment New Jersey launched a new campaign calling on New Jersey’s congressional and senate candidates to endorse a national New Energy Future platform.

Through advocacy in the weeks leading up to Election Day, Environment New Jersey reached out to all the candidates. Several challengers from both parties endorsed the platform, including U.S. Senate candidate Tom Kean Jr., as well as returning incumbents like Sen. Bob Menendez and Rep. Frank Pallone.

“There is no question that we have the know-how to reduce our dependence on oil and move toward a cleaner, more secure energy future,” said Doug O’Malley, field director for Environment New Jersey. “We need leaders who support moving our country in a new direction that puts our national security, our environment, our climate, and our future above powerful interests.”

Environment New Jersey asked candidates to endorse the following New Energy Future platform:

•Reduce U.S. dependence on oil by saving one-third of the oil we use today by 2025;

•Harness clean, renewable, homegrown energy sources for at least one quarter of all energy needs by 2025;

•Save energy with high-performance homes, buildings and appliances so that by 2025 we use 10 percent less energy than we do today;and

•Invest in a New Energy Future by tripling research and development funding for the energy-saving and renewable technologies we need to achieve these goals.

The campaign was part of a national effort by various state environmental groups that garnered the support of over 150 congressional candidates across the country.

In the 2007 congressional session, Environment New Jersey will work to hold our congressional-elects accountable to their New Energy Future pledge.