SENATOR GREENSTEIN AND ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS CELEBRATE GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNING LOW CARBON CONCRETE BILL INTO LAW

TRENTON – The following are statements from bill sponsor Senator Linda Greenstein and New Jersey environmental leaders regarding a bill signed into law today by Governor Murphy that will provide a tax credit for use of low carbon concrete. Senator Greenstein and Assemblyman John McKeon were sponsors of the legislation, and the bill had nearly unanimous bipartisan support in both the Senate and the Assembly.

Concrete is the most widely used substance on earth, and its production is extremely carbon intensive accounting for more than 7% of atmospheric carbon pollution. This law will help reduce emissions from the building sector while simultaneously providing a market for New Jersey businesses to be competitive in developing low-carbon technologies for use in manufacturing.

“By encouraging the use of low embodied carbon concrete, we are taking a crucial step towards decarbonization in New Jersey. Not only will this bill help to drastically decrease our carbon emissions, but it will also provide economic benefits for the manufacturers of greener technology and help ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy our beautiful state and all that it offers,” said Linda Greenstein, New Jersey State Senator. “I applaud the Governor for signing this bill, which supports New Jersey’s goal of reducing carbon emissions.”

“This is an example of a win-win. It’s good for the environment and good for business by positioning New Jersey at the forefront of a growing low-carbon concrete industry. We sincerely thank Senator Greenstein for her vision, leadership, and commitment to passing this bill, as well as to Assemblyman John McKeon for his tireless efforts to advance environmental protection,” said Ed Potosnak, Executive Director, New Jersey League of Conservation Voters. “Because concrete accounts for 7% of global carbon emissions, this law is an important step in mitigating climate change while also supporting New Jersey businesses.”

“We congratulate Governor Murphy for signing into law the low carbon concrete bill as part of his Administration’s commitment to tackling the climate crisis,” said Eric Miller, New Jersey Energy Policy Director at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). “This bill will help ensure that concrete purchased by the state is cleaner, and will reward those concrete suppliers who overperform state-established standards by adopting new techniques and technologies. This is the first such incentive program in the United States. It’s a win for the climate and for innovation and a model for other states.”

“From the Turnpike, to the parkway, and all of our bridges, tunnels and sport stadiums, the state of New Jersey and its agencies procure massive amounts of concrete every year. LECCLA (S-287) is a smart, incremental policy that rewards private actors for making good choices,” said Sean Mohen, Executive Director, Tri-County Sustainability. “Bills like this are the reason New Jersey will lead the nation in the clean energy economy.”

“Raritan Valley Community College used low-carbon concrete in two recent projects as an easy and inexpensive way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from construction projects,” says Susan Dorward, RVCC’s Sustainability and Energy Coordinator. “The College was an early supporter of this bill, which will spur the development and adoption of low-carbon concrete for use in construction.”