Greenstein, Singleton Bill to Require State Agencies to use a 20-Year Time Horizon to Measure the Effects of Air-Pollutants Advances

Trenton – Legislation sponsored by Senate Environment and Energy Committee Vice-Chair Linda Greenstein and Senator Troy Singleton, which would require the state to use a 20-year time horizon and the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Assessment Report to measure global warming impact of greenhouse gases advanced from the Senate Environment and Energy Committee.

“The extreme weather we have been experiencing in New Jersey is indicative of climate change,” said Senator Greenstein (D-Mercer/Middlesex). “Our state agencies currently calculating the impact of global climate change should be measuring the threat of each pollutant within the window of the 20-year time horizon, not the 100-year span currently used. This will require the state to consider the near-term impact of these gasses and take more immediate action.”

“New Jersey continues to make strides in its focus and commitment towards being an environmentally friendly state,” said Senator Singleton (D-Burlington). “By requiring a 20-year time horizon to be the standard in calculating the impact of pollutants, we can reduce our carbon footprint, which is crucial in fighting climate change.”

The bill, S-3215, would require state agencies to use the lowest discount rates that are consistent with federal guidelines when performing a socio-economic impact analysis pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act” that involves the socio-economic impact of global warming.

The bill passed committee by a vote of 4-0.