Quijano Bill Creating Coastal Climate Change Commission Clears Assembly Panel

(TRENTON) – In an effort to study and reverse the effects of climate change and protect New Jersey’s environment and natural resources, Assemblywoman Annette Quijano sponsored legislation creating the Coastal Climate Change Commission. The measure cleared the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee Thursday.

“We owe it to our constituents to keep our state clean, beautiful, healthy and functional,” said Quijano (D-Union). “We are facing a crisis when it comes to the wellbeing of our planet, and we must do everything in our abilities to study and combat the effects of climate change so future generations can too proudly call New Jersey home. Everywhere on our coast, from the Jersey Shore to Port Elizabeth, should be safeguarded from the effects of climate change.”

The bill (A-2417) creates a 15-member Coastal Climate Change Commission in the Department of Environmental Protection.

The Commission is directed to:

• Study climate change issues and the challenges they present to municipalities in the state;
• Develop recommendations for statewide policies and ways to assist municipalities in New Jersey to address these issues and challenges; and
• Report these recommendations to the Governor and Legislature no later than 18 months following the Commission’s first meeting.

“By studying climate change and how it devastates our environment, we will better understand what methods to utilize to emphatically reverse the effects of climate change,” Quijano said.