Statement of Environment New Jersey Field Director Doug O’Malley
Today, New Jersey’s Congressional delegation took an historic step toward a new clean energy economy and a healthy future by supporting the American Clean Energy and Security Act, which passed by a margin of 219 to 212 in the House of Representatives.
While the dramatic shift we need in our energy policy and the dire scientific predictions regarding global warming demand that we do much more, the first step is always the hardest and Congress should be applauded for taking it. We learn to walk before we can run; this historic act by Congress gets us up on our feet and heading toward a clean energy economy.
The Garden State gets the green economy and understands that our state is in the climate change crosshairs if we fail to act. The vote today will spur clean energy jobs and energy independence, and our bipartisan Congressional delegation deserves thanks for their leadership.
New Jersey’s Congressional delegation voted overwhelming in support of the bill, with Rep. Rob Andrews (D-1), Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-2), Rep. John Adler (D-3), Rep. Chris Smith (R-4), Rep. Frank Pallone (D-6), Rep. Leonard Lance (R-7), Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-8), Rep. Steve Rothman (D-9), Rep. Donald Payne (D-10), Rep. Rush Holt (D-12) and Rep. Albio Sires (D-13) supporting the legislation.
Today’s action helps to strengthen the action that New Jersey took nearly two years ago with the passage of the Global Warming Response Act, with the strong support of then-State Senators Leonard Lance and John Adler. New Jersey has consistently taken the lead on clean energy issues, but we needed Washington to act, and this is the first step to create a national clean energy economy.
While the national vote was split mainly on party lines, a vast majority of New Jersey’s delegation, and a majority of the Republican delegation voted to support the legislation.
Rep. Lance, LoBiondo and Smith deserve praise for their leadership to put clean energy jobs and energy independence first for New Jersey. Their votes will help New Jersey cement its place as a green economy leader.
Two members of the delegation failed to support the legislation: Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-11) and Rep. Scott Garrett (R-5).
We’re disappointed by the votes of Rep. Frelinghuysen and Rep. Garrett. The science is too clear not to act and the opportunities to spur New Jersey’s clean energy are too great to accept the status quo.
New Jersey is already a national leader on clean energy, and is ranked as second in the country for solar power. As of 2007, over 2,031 businesses had generated more than 25,300 New Jersey jobs in a clean energy economy, according to a study released by the Pew Charitable Trusts. And these businesses have attracted $282 million in venture capital investments.
But New Jersey’s potential is much higher. A report by the Renewable Energy Policy Project shows that New Jersey ranks in the top ten states in the country for potential manufacturing jobs and investment over the next decade by adopting standards similar to those found in the current legislation. For New Jersey, that would mean over 1,300 new firms and over 17,000 new jobs related solely to new manufacturing.
Nationally, the legislation will cut the use of oil and petroleum products by two million barrels a day in 2030 – as much oil as we currently import from the Persian Gulf. It will invest in new clean energy technologies and energy efficiency, including energy efficiency and renewable energy w with $90 billion in new investments by 2025, electric and other advanced technology vehicles with $20 billion, and basic scientific research and development with $20 billion.
The bill reduces global warming pollution by limiting emissions from electric utilities, oil refineries and other major sources. These reductions mirror the actions that New Jersey passed into law in 2007. It will reduce carbon emissions from major U.S. sources by 17% by 2020 and over 80% by 2050 compared to 2005 levels. Investments in preventing tropical deforestation, will achieve significant additional reductions in carbon emissions.
The bill will invest in cost-saving energy technology to save consumers money. It will also protect consumers with protections from energy price spikes and include energy tax credits and cost-saving technology like strong building codes. The Congressional Budget Office calculates that the legislation will cost the average household less than 50 cents per day, although it does not account for cost-savings from energy efficiency. Estimates from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy place cost savings per household at nearly 50 cents a household by 2020, making the legislation close to cost-neutral.
The bill’s passage comes on the heels of findings from the federal government last week that some of the initial estimates for climate change impacts were too rosy. The report found that global warming has already raised average temperatures in the Northeast by 2 degrees Fahrenheit and has led to an earlier arrival of spring by 10 days to two weeks across the country than 20 years ago. If global warming pollution continues under the report’s high emissions scenario, scientists expect New Jersey to experience the following impacts:
1) Seasonal Shift: Over the next several decades, temperatures are projected to rise an additional 2.5 to 4°F in winter and 1.5 to 3.5°F in summer. Hot summer conditions would arrive three weeks earlier and last three weeks longer into the fall, and the length of the winter snow season would be reduced to a week or two in southern parts of the Northeast like New Jersey. The number of 100°F will spike, and the growing conditions will rapidly deteriorate for cranberry and blueberry crops, and there will be additional pressure on the dairy industry.
2) Sea Level Rise: Recent estimates of global sea-level rise substantially exceed the IPCC estimates, suggesting sea-level rise between 3 and 4 feet in this century. Even a 2-foot rise in relative sea level over a century would result in the loss of a large portion of the nation’s remaining coastal wetlands, as they are not able to build new soil at a fast enough rate. What is currently called a 100-year storm is projected to occur as often as every 5 years. Much of the critical transportation infrastructure, including tunnels, subways, and airports, lies well within the range of projected storm surge and would be flooded during such events.
· 3) Flooding: Heavy downpours can overload drainage systems and water treatment facilities, increasing the risk of water-borne diseases. Downpours can trigger sewage overflows, contaminating drinking water and endangering beachgoers. The consequences will likely be particularly severe in the 950 U.S. cities and towns that have “combined sewer systems;” an older design that carries storm water and sewage in the same pipes. In 2004, the EPA estimated it would cost $203 billion to address these and other needs of wastewater treatment systems.
Tomorrow, we look forward to building even more support for even stronger solutions, and we look forward to working with New Jersey’s Senators, Sen. Bob Menendez and Sen. Frank Lautenberg, to work to strengthen and pass clean energy legislation to deliver to President Obama’s desk. The time for action is now in Washington: New Jersey has too much at stake for our clean energy economy and our coastline to accept the status quo.
