Some of the nation's worst air

We've come a long way in New Jersey, both in reducing air pollution and promoting clean energy. But we still have some of the nation's worst air quality, which triggers millions of asthma attacks and hospital visits every year.

This spring, Gov. Chris Christie announced intentions to kill one our strongest anti-pollution laws. Known as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), the 10-state program cuts global warming emissions from power plants, requires polluters to pay, and invests that money in clean energy programs.

A program that works

RGGI has cut global warming pollution and other toxic emissions across the Northeastern states. Here in New Jersey, the program has put us on track to cut 84,000 tons of global warming pollution each year.

Further, RGGI has allowed New Jersey to invest in major solar projects like the new panels at William Paterson University. Altogether, RGGI-funded clean energy projects have created enough power to serve almost 20,000 New Jersey homes.

Unfortunately, groups funded by out-of-state fossil fuel companies have paid handsomely to fight the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and convince the governor to kill it. But we need every tool available to end our unhealthy addiction to fossil fuels. And we can't let oil and coal companies dictate our energy future.

Stick with the program

This is a program that works: It slows global warming, makes polluters pay and funds clean energy. It's exactly what our government should be doing and exactly what Most New Jerseyans want. We need to send a message to Gov. Christie that he should listen to us — not fossil fuel interests — when it comes to energy policy. The governor should stay in RGGI and work with our neighboring states to make it stronger.

Thankfully, our legislators can block the governor's move if he refuses to listen. In the months ahead, Environment New Jersey will redouble efforts to keep our state in RGGI, clear our notorious air pollution, and ease our outdated addiction on fossil fuels.

15,000 voices raised for RGGI

Already more than 15,000 New Jerseyans have sent comments to state leaders, urging them to block Gov. Christie's decision to withdraw from RGGI.

More than a hundred others joined us for rallies across the state.

Click here to join our campaign, and to tell your leaders to keep New Jersey in RGGI.

Clean Air Updates

Report | Environment New Jersey

Wind Power for a Cleaner America

As Hurricane Sandy and its aftermath prompt more New Jerseyans to call for action to tackle global warming and the rise in extreme weather, Environment New Jersey released a new report that shows that New Jersey’s current power generation from wind energy displaces as much global warming pollution as taking 2000 cars off the road per year. A 2010 law passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Christie will bring far more wind power to New Jersey over the next decade, significantly reducing global warming pollution and cutting the state’s reliance on fossil fuels.

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News Release | Environment New Jersey

Wind Energy in New Jersey Will Prevent as Much Global Warming Pollution as Taking 376,482 Cars Off the Road Each Year

As Hurricane Sandy and its aftermath prompt more New Jerseyans to call for action to tackle global warming and the rise in extreme weather, Environment New Jersey released a new report today that shows that New Jersey’s current power generation from wind energy displaces as much global warming pollution as taking 2000 cars off the road per year.  A 2010 law passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Christie will bring far more wind power to New Jersey over the next decade, significantly reducing global warming pollution and cutting the state’s reliance on fossil fuels.

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News Release | Environment New Jersey

Final Green Light for Clean Cars

Today, the Obama administration finalized new clean car standards that will double the fuel efficiency of today’s vehicles by 2025, drastically reducing emissions of carbon pollution and cutting oil use in New Jersey and nationwide.  The standards will cover new cars and light trucks in model years 2017-2025, and require those vehicles to meet the equivalent of a 54.5 miles-per-gallon standard by 2025.

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News Release | Environment New Jersey

Broad Range of Stakeholders Call on Northeast Governors, Including Christie, to Improve Successful Clean Energy and Anti-Pollution Program

New Jersey organizations today joined more than 300 others in calling on Governor Christie and other Northeast and Mid-Atlantic governors to build on progress reducing pollution and promoting clean energy by improving the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).  The coalition – which includes environmental and public health organizations, consumer advocates, and clean energy and mainstream businesses – highlighted RGGI’s success to date.  In addition, they called on governors to strengthen the program’s pollution reduction targets and increase local investments in clean energy and energy efficiency measures that benefit the climate, the economy, public health, and energy consumers.

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News Release | Environment New Jersey Research and Policy Center

New Report: Extreme Rainstorms and Snowstorms Up 33 Percent in NJ

Just days a series of severe storms ripped through Central Jersey, leading to severe rains and flooding that devastated the town of Freehold, a new Environment New Jersey report confirms that extreme rainstorms and snowstorms are happening 33 percent more frequently in New Jersey since 1948.  The Central Jersey storm followed a June 29th storm that brought high winds and rain to Southern Jersey, now considered one of the most destructive and severe thunderstorms in the region’s history.  206,000 people in Atlantic, Cumberland, and Salem counties lost power following the June 29th storm.

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