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Assemblyman John McKeon represents the
27th district in Essex County, and serves as
mayor of West Orange. He chairs the New
Jersey Assembly Environment Committee
and is one of the state’s leading legislative
champions for the environment.
What do you think are the biggest environmental
problems our state faces?
New Jersey faces a host of unique environmental
challenges that are made
more complex by our high population
density and mounting fiscal tensions. In
the midst of these challenges, we must
not surrender our role as a national model
for addressing environmental concerns.
Replenishing the funding for the preservation
of open space is essential for the
economic vitality of our state and the
quality of life of its residents. In addition
to maintaining our natural resources, we
must take our place again as a leader in
efficiency and resourcefulness by developing
a comprehensive program for the
recycling of electronic waste.
What are your environmental priorities
this year?
Each year thousands of residents seek
outlets for exercise and recreation in
our beautiful state parks. It has been
my belief that we need to make a permanent
source of funding available for
their preservation and maintenance.
This November, New Jersey’s voters will
be given the opportunity to support a
constitutional amendment that would
dedicate a portion of the Corporate
Business Tax (CBT) for that purpose.
This is a measure that I sponsored in
the Legislature and will continue to
advocate until its passage. Another
important venture that I will be focusing
on is the implementation of government
programs to support and provide
incentives for green building initiatives
throughout the state.
What are your proudest environmental
accomplishments?
I am particularly proud of my role as
primary sponsor of the Highland Water
Protection and Planning Act, which set
strict guidelines for development on over
one million acres of New Jersey’s pristine
highlands and protects more than one half
of the state’s drinking water. I was also very
pleased to sponsor legislation which mandated
the retro-fitting of diesel engines
which will reduce harmful diesel emissions
from polluting our air, leading to a lower
incidence of chronic and acute bronchitis
and asthma among our residents.
What stands in the way of adopting
stronger protections for the environment?
While we are blessed with the prosperity
that comes from living in a capitalist
society, the competitive nature of our free
market has the potential to translate into
bad news for the environment. Where
strong, competitive business interests
exist, the opportunity for greater profits
in the short-term can sometimes overshadow
the long-term environmental
impacts on our air, land, and water.
What advice do you have for those of us
who want to make a difference on the
environment?
From the perspective of a lawmaker, improving
the environment is one of many
important interests in the life of New
Jersey’s residents. In order for environmental
aims to be accomplished, concerned
citizens must advocate for them on the
grassroots level. Familiarize yourself with
your local officials and the roles they play
in setting environmental policy so that you
can make your concerns a top priority for
them. Involving yourself in advocacy groups
will serve to make you part of a collective
voice which can impact larger entities.
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