Empower NJ- No Fossil Fuel Projects Release Climate Impact Report on New Fossil Fuel Projects

Today Empower NJ-No Fossil Fuel Projects Campaign will issue a critical report on greenhouse gases from the proposed 13 fossil fuel projects. FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE IN NJ: The Urgent Case for a Moratorium on all Fossil Fuel Projects is a comprehensive report that shows what New Jersey needs to do to protect us from increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and deal with the effects of the climate crisis. This scientific study demonstrates why Governor Murphy needs to put a moratorium on fossil fuel projects in order to achieve NJ’s renewable energy goals – 100% renewable by 2050. Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club released the following statement:

“We are in a climate crisis and things are getting worse. High temperatures in our oceans have hit all-time records, sea level is rising, and so are carbon emissions. Instead of reducing greenhouse gases, we are about to see a huge increase from the 13 proposed fossil fuel projects. That is why we have this comprehensive report, Fighting Climate Change in NJ which shows that New Jersey will never be able to achieve Governor Murphy’s 100% clean energy goals unless Murphy puts a moratorium on new fossil fuel projects.

“Our report is a comprehensive scientific study on the climate impact each fossil fuel project will have on our state. If built, these new projects would increase CO2 and GHG emissions by approximately 32 million metric tons per year or about 32%. The five proposed powerplants, including the Meadowlands powerplant, would increase CO2e emissions from electricity generation by approximately 76% if built.

 “The proposed fossil fuel projects are moving forward, which is why we need a moratorium. The two Pineland pipeline cases on Southern Reliability Link and South Jersey Gas are starting up again. SRL pipeline has already started construction despite still being in court. Transco has already received wetland permits for their Gateway Expansion Project and PennEast has been granted eminent domain for its pipeline. Governor Murphy has the opportunity to stop these projects altogether with a moratorium, it’s critical that he does it now.

“The Governor said that we are not here to call balls and strikes but he is the umpire and the team owner. Governor Murphy already knows the facts when it comes to fossil fuel projects in New Jersey. The facts are that DEP has the authority to regulate GHG since 2005 but they decide not to. The facts are the Murphy Administration had already given out land use permits for the Meadowlands Powerplant without looking at cumulative impacts. The facts are that the Meadowlands Powerplant would supply power to New York and leave New Jersey with the pollution. Unless we have a moratorium in place, these new fossil fuel projects will be built and would block Murphy’ 100% renewable energy goals.

“NJ has a history of putting in place moratoriums in order to deal with an environment problem until it issue is resolved. Governor Byrne put a stop on all development in the Pinelands until the Pinelands Act was passed. Governor Kean put a moratorium on filling in freshwater wetlands to protect us from flooding until a wetlands protection law was passed. Kean also put a moratorium on development projects until sewer plants were upgraded to protect clean water. Governor Florio put a moratorium on all new incinerators and stopped them under construction to protect our air quality from toxic emissions. It’s time Governor Murphy follows his predecessors and puts in place a moratorium.

 “We need a time out to put in place programs to reduce greenhouse gases and get to 100% renewable. More fossil fuels will block offshore wind and make RGGI meaningless. NJ is exporting more than 20% of their electricity and 3 power plants are designed to sell power to NY. A moratorium gives DEP the time to regulate and set standards for CO2 and GHG through all sectors such as powerplants, pipelines, mobile sources, and fugitive emissions.

 “These proposed fossil fuel projects will not only impact our renewable energy goals, they will also cause more climate and health impacts. Our state is already seeing more flooding and more health impacts such as a rise in lymes disease and asthma attacks from climate change. Hurricane Sandy had a total cost $30 billion in NJ and now we are 17 times more likely to happen again.

“We can move forward on reducing greenhouse gases if Governor Murphy finally puts his words into action on climate change. This is especially important when we have a President that is at war with the environment. Climate change is an existential threat, and so is Donald Trump’s policies. Governor Murphy has made a commitment to uphold the Paris Accord and rejoin RGGI however if these proposed fossil fuel projects are built, they would directly conflict the initiatives of these programs. Murphy needs to keep his commitments or else everything he says is just hot air.

 “We are now in a state of urgency, especially when lawsuits against these fossil fuel projects are moving forward. In order to lead on climate change, Murphy needs to lead on stopping fossil fuel infrastructure. Other NJ Governors have put in moratoriums during an environmental crisis, it’s time that Murphy follows. Then we can get to 100% renewable energy, green jobs, protect public health, and our own Green New Deal.”