Global Warming News

Taking Action On Global Warming Could Save New Jersey Consumers Money

As the new home of NJPIRG's environmental work, Environment New Jersey can be contacted regarding this news release. 

TRENTON—Extreme weather events cost New Jersey $107 million while clean energy technologies could save New Jersey consumers considerable amounts of money and reduce global warming pollution, according to a new report released by NJPIRG Law and Policy Center.

Released as Congress considers a conference report on a national energy bill, the NJPIRG report—The Costs of Inaction, Delaying Action on Global Warming Costs Consumers and the Environment—details why our state and national leaders should take action now to address global warming.

"If Congress does nothing to curb global warming, consumers not only lose out on the money-saving benefits of clean energy solutions—we all pay the price to deal with the consequences," said Emily Rusch, energy advocate for NJPIRG.

Burning dirty fossil fuels (oil, coal and gas) to power cars and homes releases heat-trapping global warming gases into the atmosphere, which alters the climate of the planet and throws weather systems out of balance. Scientists warn that doing nothing to reduce global warming pollution will increase the frequency and severity of costly extreme weather events such as drought, floods, and hurricanes.

In our own state, the Environmental Protection Agency predicts that without preventative action New Jersey will experience more heat waves, more flooding, and an increase in disease carrying insects like mosquitos. In addition, over the next century the EPA predicts a two-foot rise in sea levels along New Jersey's coastline that will destroy precious habitat and threaten valuable coastal properties.

NJPIRG's research shows that extreme weather-related costs in 2002 were nearly $20 billion nationally. Between federal government assistance and insured losses, the costs in New Jersey were more than $107 million in 2002.

"Energy production for electricity and transportation produces the vast majority of global warming pollution. We must use less energy and promote today's technologies to prevent future economic losses," said Rusch.

The report details the numerous technologies available to reduce global warming emissions, especially carbon dioxide, that also save consumers money and boost the economy.

• Gradually increasing the percentage of electricity generated from clean, renewable sources to 20 percent by 2020 could reduce global warming emissions from power plants by 19 percent in 2020. A national renewable energy standard of 20 percent of electricity generation by 2020 could save Americans $4.5 billion by 2020.

• Implementing energy efficiency and renewable energy measures together could save New Jersey residential utility customers $111 per customer per year on their natural gas bills alone.

• Raising fuel economy standards to 40-mpg within a decade for cars, light trucks, and SUVs would save the U.S. nearly 2 million barrels of oil per day, cut U.S. global warming emissions from passenger vehicles by 20 percent, and save New Jersey's consumers $2.1 billion dollars on fuel costs in 2020 when fully implemented.

The Bush administration has called the Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement that would require the U.S. to reduce global warming emissions 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012, a "fatally flawed" treaty. The Bush administration has opposed mandates to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, instead relying solely on voluntary action by polluters.

In addition, the current energy bill in Congress does not limit global warming emissions. The Senate will vote for the first time on capping global warming emissions in mid- to late-October, when it votes on the Climate Stewardship Act of 2003. This bill, offered by Senators McCain and Lieberman, would establish a mandatory carbon dioxide reduction program along with a global warming emission trading system.

"New Jersey consumers are counting on Senators Corzine and Lautenberg to reject the dirty, dangerous energy bill and instead start promoting policies that stop global warming and save consumers money," said Rusch.

Here in New Jersey solutions are available now to address our own contribution to the problem. New Jersey represents only .1 percent of the world's population, yet produces .5 percent of the world's global warming emissions. NJPIRG has a four-step plan for reducing emissions:

• Reduce energy used. Passing strong energy efficiency standards for commonly sold products like traffic lights and ceiling fans would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 280,000 tons.

• Limit global warming pollution from energy sources. Capping carbon dioxide from power plants is the best way to ensure that global warming pollution from power plants does not increase.

• Promote better automobile technologies. The California Low Emissions Vehicle Program promotes the sale of cars that do not contribute to global warming pollution.

• Promote clean energy technologies. A clean energy standard that requires 20 percent of our energy to come from renewable sources would dramatically decrease our global warming emissions.