Stop the Clean Air Rollback
Gov. Christie wants to kill a regional program that reduces pollution from power plants, makes the polluters pay, and uses the funds for clean energy. We're calling on our legislators at the State House to block the governor's move.
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Environment New Jersey will redouble efforts to keep our state in RGGI, clear our notorious air pollution, and ease our outdated addiction on fossil fuels.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.
We're calling on our legislators in Trenton to stand up to Gov. Chris Christie — and block his move to kill the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
Key Facts
- The American Lung Association flunked 11 New Jersey counties for dirty air in 2010.
- Power plants not only contribute to global warming, their pollution triggers 1 million asthma attacks each year.
- The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative has helped cut global warming pollution in New Jersey and across the Northeast.
- Gov. Christie reached his decision to walk away from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative after a secret meeting with oilman David Koch, who has helped to funnel more than $55 million toward efforts to kill RGGI and spread misinformation about climate change.
- RGGI-funded clean energy projects have created enough power to serve almost 20,000 New Jersey homes.