Contact Jeff Tittel, 609-558-9100

RGGI Moves Forward: NJ Will Benefit When Christie Leaves

The nine Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) states officially announced their proposed update to the program, establishing limits on carbon pollution from the region’s power plants through 2030. The states modeled three different scenarios for the future of the program and decided on a 30 percent reduction by 2030 from 2020 levels. The proposed update also includes adjustments for banked allowances, modifications to the cost containment reserve (CCR) price, and implementation of an Emissions Containment Reserves (ECR). The participating RGGI states are Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. In New Jersey, Governor Christie illegally took us out of RGGI in 2015 and then vetoed A4701 (Eustace), which requires the State’s full participation in RGGI. When the Governor leaves office, we will re-join RGGI.

“It is important that RGGI states are finalizing pollution limits because New Jersey will benefit when we re-join next year. When Governor Christie illegally pulled us out of the program, he left our economy and environment to suffer because we wouldn’t see clean air and green jobs. People in our state have seen the impacts of climate change firsthand and demand action, but instead our Governor took us out for his national political ambitions. When the Governor leaves office, we will re-enter RGGI next year so New Jersey can see all of its benefits,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “RGGI worked to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by almost 20 million tons and created 1,800 green jobs in the state. The money collected from RGGI went out to help environmental programs, expand renewable energy, create jobs, reduce greenhouse gases, and help middle class families save money on their electric bills.”

Governor Christie pulled us out of RGGI without consulting the Legislature in August of 2015. RGGI is a ten-state regional compact to reduce climate change, air pollution and fund clean energy projects. The Governor has removed New Jersey from the program and does not take part in the carbon auctions. Exiting the program has caused New Jersey to lose jobs, increase pollution, and fail to combat climate change.

“In his last gasp of hot air, Christie has vetoed the bill that would force New Jersey back into RGGI. This isn’t surprising because he has aligned himself with Donald Trump and corporate pollutions. Right after he pulled out of RGGI, Christie had lunch with the Koch brothers. Instead of implementing adaptation and mitigation planning and reducing carbon pollution, the Governor is rolling back policies that reduce climate change pollution and promote clean energy alternatives,” said Jeff Tittel. “Since taking office, the Christie administration has raided over $1.5 billion from different clean energy funding programs, and at least $63 million dollars of that came from RGGI. The second year he stole another $46 million to balance the budget. In the past, RGGI funds were used to fund the DEP Office of Climate Change, which has been eliminated, and New Jersey’s work on adaptation and mitigation.”

With the Clean Power Plan, President Obama took the biggest step in U.S. history to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants. The Trump Administration has now rolled back the CPP, as well as most other important environmental protections. New Jersey needs stronger state regulations since there will no longer be federal regulations when it comes to managing air pollution and greenhouse gasses.

“Instead of moving the state forward, the Christie Administration pushed through dirty pipelines and subsidized natural gas plants. The Administration’s Energy Master Plan has increased our reliance on natural gas by about 45 percent. By pulling out of the RGGI, the Christie Administration have allowed these companies to get millions of dollars a year in tax breaks. This means other states are surpassing us with economic growth in clean energy. Rhode Island is getting offshore wind and New York is manufacturing solar arrays, while New Jersey is being left in the smog” said Jeff Tittel. “Our Governor even cut our renewable energy goals from 30 percent to 22 percent by 2030, despite climate impacts getting worse and worse. His actions not only affect our lungs, but we will see even more flooding, sea level rise, and severe storms.”

Communities throughout New Jersey are being impacted by air pollution and new fossil fuel plants while our open spaces and environmentally sensitive lands are being targeted by pipeline after pipeline. From the fracking wells to pipelines, compressor stations, and power plants, methane leaks have significant impacts to greenhouse gas emissions. There are over 15 proposed pipelines in our state. Unless we take action to reduce pollution, these projects will further lead to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change from pipeline leaks and burning the gas.

“Once Christie is out of office, New Jersey will be able to RGGI and send a message to the Trump Administration. It’s up to the states to work together to reduce greenhouse gasses because the fossil fool in the White House won’t. We must protect our environment, reduce carbon pollution, and move our state forward economically.  RGGI is a win-win for New Jersey and Gov. Christie is a lose-lose when it comes to protecting our environment and reducing the impacts of climate change. We need to undo Governor Christie’s mistake and move the state forward,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “Rejoining RGGI is the first step in fighting climate change in New Jersey. We need to commit to 100% renewable energy by 2030 and focus on solar and wind power. We can work with other states to make RGGI stronger and improve air quality for the entire region. We need to stand together and fight against climate change.”