Contact Jeff Tittel, 609-558-9100

Christie Vetoes RGGI Bill Again: Hurts NJ Economy and Environment

Today the Governor vetoed A4701 (Eustace), which requires the State’s full participation in Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). 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. The Governor exceeded legislative intent by pulling out of RGGI without the input of the public or the Legislature. The Assembly has already passed this bill so if the Senate does so, it will go to the Governor’s desk.

“In his last gasp of hot air, Christie has vetoed the bill that would force New Jersey back into RGGI. This isn’t surprising, considering we’re the only state out of ten that pulled out thanks to our Governor. While the other states were seeing the benefits of RGGI, we’ve lost them. People in our state have seen the impacts of climate change firsthand and demand action. Rejoining RGGI is the first step towards a greener future. 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,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “We’d like to see this veto overridden but the next Governor can also put us back into RGGI. The two major candidates for Governor support RGGI, unlike Christie who only cares about his own political ambition.”

The Governor clearly violated duties required of DEP, established by the Global Warming Response Act, when he pulled us out of RGGI. When the Governor pulled out of RGGI he violated the law. The rule clearly violates legislative intent, the RGGI law, and the Global Warming Response Act. DEP does not cite any legal authority in which they actually can pull out of RGGI through rulemaking.  DEP is violating the Administrative Procedures Act as they do not make any attempt to quantify or describe how pulling out of RGGI impacts socioeconomics, jobs, or smart growth.  They have not made the proper findings to justify these rules pulling out of RGGI.  We believe the DEP is violating the law by pulling out of RGGI through this rule making process.  What they are doing violates the Global Warming Response Act and the Administrative Procedures Act.

“Just like sitting on the beach when state parks were closed, Christie sided against the people of New Jersey. He did this first when he pulled us out of RGGI and now he’s doing it again by vetoing this bill. He’s aligning himself with Donald Trump and his war on climate. Right after he pulled out of RGGI, Christie had lunch with the Koch brothers. This is more about his political ambitions than it is about New Jersey. 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. 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,” said Jeff Tittel.

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.

“Once Christie goes, New Jersey needs to rejoin RGGI to 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. If Governor Christie does not sign this important bill and get New Jersey back into RGGI, we will need the Legislature to overturn that decision or wait for the next Governor,” 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.”