Sierra Club Supports Murphy During Gubernatorial Debate

The Sierra Club is attending tonight’s Gubernatorial debate in support of our endorsed candidate: Ambassador Phil Murphy. Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, Jeff Tittel, released the following statement:

“We’re here to rally behind the one candidate in this race who is a clearly the environmental candidate. We have endorsed Phil Murphy and we’re here today to stand with him and stand up for the environment. We believe that Murphy will bring a new vigor and energy to the Statehouse while enacting important environmental initiatives. We are confident that Murphy will fight to protect our environment and our resources while fighting climate change. However, we believe that Phil Murphy will be an environmental champion as Governor of New Jersey.

“We’re standing with Phil Murphy because he’s standing with us and the environment. Murphy will help transition us to a green economy by promoting renewable energy over fossil fuels. Under Governor Christie we lost close to half our solar jobs and have not followed through on our potential for wind turbine technology. Murphy supports making New Jersey a leader in wind and solar power once again. He supports a goal of 100% renewable energy by 2050. He will help accomplish this by putting us back into RGGI and committing to 3500 megawatts of offshore wind. Phil Murphy’s goals for renewable energy and green jobs with help New Jersey’s environment and economy as well.

“As Governor, Phil Murphy will help fight back against environmental rollbacks by the Trump Administration. He will oppose offshore drilling, unnecessary pipelines, and fossil fuel expansion. Not only will Murphy stop Christie’s rollbacks on air and water protections, but he will move forward with stronger environmental protections. He will also work to constitutionally dedicate environmental settlement funds and promote jobs in clean energy fields such as wind and solar. He has also come out against some of the pipelines proposals threatening New Jersey such as PennEast and Pilgrim. Most of the Democratic candidates are decent on the environment, but Phil stands above them.

“Phil Murphy also stands with commuters. He is committed to work to fix the disaster that’s called New Jersey transit. What’s happening with transit across the state is not only hurting families and communities, but also the environment and the economy. Phil Murphy’s plan will help fix our transit system, help people get where they need to go, and reduce air pollution. We support his plan to revitalize NJ Transit to help get New Jersey moving again.

“The Ambassador has been outspoken critic of Governor Christie’s failure to protect New Jersey’s drinking water. He has stated his plans to update aging water infrastructure and stopping the diversion of lead remediation funds. He is opposed to any fracking or dumping of fracking waste in New Jersey as well. Governor Christie has stacked many important Councils and Commission with people who represent the gas and oil industries. Murphy will protect the Highlands and Pinelands by appointing the right people to roles meant to protecting the environment.

“We’re not here to rally; we’re here to support the best environmental candidate for New Jersey’s next Governor: Phil Murphy. When we endorse a candidate, we stand with them, we don’t undermine them. We believe that Murphy will stand up to the rollbacks of the Trump Administration while promoting clean energy and protecting New Jersey from future storm events. He also supporting increasing recycling efforts as well as strengthening environmental protections, particularly in low-income areas.

“The Ambassador recognizes that the environment of New Jersey must be protected for future generations and that the land and water belong to all of us. Phil Murphy will work to protect New Jersey from future storm events by promoting reducing greenhouse gasses and switching our state to a green economy. We look forward to working with Phil Murphy if he is elected as the next Governor of New Jersey and will continue to support him during this process. We’re not here to call on all candidates, we’re here to get the best candidate elected. Phil Murphy will make New Jersey a national leader on the environment again.”