WASHINGTON - February 13 - Global warming is the greatest and most urgent environmental challenge of our time.  Governor Corzine rose to the challenge today by establishing a firm, far-reaching, science-based commitment to reduce New Jersey’s global warming emissions.  Further, his support for policies needed to achieve steep reductions will ensure New Jersey tackles this problem head-on and sets a vital precedent for strong national action. 

Governor Corzine’s support of the New Jersey Global Warming Response Act, requiring mandatory caps on all global warming emissions from all sources statewide, is especially important.  With leadership from the Governor and key environmental leaders in the New Jersey legislature, New Jersey is poised to become the second state in the nation to pass this ground-breaking legislation, the first comprehensive solution to global warming advanced in our nation. 

It is also critical to ensure New Jersey’s commitment to tackling this problem is not superseded by imported electricity generated by coal-fired power plants in nearby states.  One major threat is across the Delaware in Pennsylvania, where TXU Energy has proposed building two to three conventional coal-fired power plants.   If these plants are constructed, they will wipe out all of the global warming emissions reductions in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.  Another threat is American Electric Power’s proposed $3 billion 765-kv transmission line that would pump in dirty energy from West Virginia to New Jersey.   

Fortunately, Governor Corzine has tools at his disposal to address this problem.  One such tool, which we strongly favor, is to work with the state legislature to require a global warming emissions standard for all electricity imported to New Jersey. 

We also look forward to working with the Governor and the Legislature to begin implementing these goals with initial measurable, meaningful steps, such as more energy efficient building codes and appliance standards, opposition to new in-state coal plants, construction of an offshore wind pilot project and maintaining a strong clean energy fund, this year. 

New Jerseyans know that global warming is real.  It will pack a mean punch, especially for our children and future generations, if we don't act quickly to aggressively curb our emissions. The Governor’s announcement today puts New Jersey at the forefront of the national debate about what must be done to reverse global warming.

If we’re going to solve global warming, we have to start here and now. 

State Economy-Wide Global Warming Initiatives

· New Jersey Executive Order – Sets a goal to reduce emissions by 20% percent below current levels by 2020 (1990 levels) and 80% below current levels by 2050.  Governor Corzine also looks forward to working with the state legislature to pass the New Jersey Global Warming Response Act (A3301/S2114), establishing mandatory caps on emissions to below 1990 levels by 2020. 

· California Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32) and Executive Order – AB32 caps emissions at 2000 levels by 2010, 1990 levels by 2020.  Governor Schwarzenegger’s Executive Order also sets a goal of 80% emissions reductions by 2050. 

· Arizona Executive Order – Sets a goal to reduce emissions to 2000 Levels by 2020 and to 50% below 2000 levels by 2040.

· New Mexico Executive Order – Set a goal to reduce emissions to 2000 levels by 2012, 10% below 2000 levels by 2020, and a 75% reduction below 2000 emission levels by 2050.

· Washington Executive Order – Sets a goal to reduce emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, 25% below 1990 levels by 2035 and 50% below 1990 levels by 2050. 

· New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers Climate Change Action Plan – Sets a goal to reduce emissions to 1990 levels by 2010, 10% below 1990 levels by 2020 and by 75-85% in the long term.  New England States in various stages of complying with agreement.  Connecticut, Maine and Massachusetts have unveiled plans.  Rhode Island stakeholder group released a comprehensive plan. 

· West Coast Governors’ Plan – commitment to act individually and regionally to reduce greenhouse gas emissions “below current levels”.  California takes lead.  Serious efforts underway in Oregon and Washington to follow. 

· North Carolina Legislative Commission on Global Warming – charged with proposing recommendations, no specific targets.

· Illinois Global Warming Initiative –Stakeholder process established, expected targets to be announced tomorrow.

Other contacts:

Jeff Tittel, Sierra Club
(609) 558-9100

David Pringle, NJEF
(732) 996-4288

Joanna Wolaver, NJAS
(609) 712-3622

Reverend Fletcher Harper, GreenFaith
(201) 390-0094

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