N.J. lawmakers OK resolution aimed at blocking Christie opposition to greenhouse gas initiative and push for massive tax increase
“Bottom line, the program has raised electricity prices, created a slush fund for each of the member states, and has had virtually no impact on emissions or on global climate change.” https://www.masterresource.org/regional-greenhouse-gas-initiative-rggi/rggi-cap-tax-spend-model/
OCTOBER 23, 2014, 3:35 PM LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2014, 11:27 PM
BY JOHN REITMEYER
STATE HO– USE BUREAU |
THE RECORD
Frustrated by Governor Christie’s move to take New Jersey out of a multistate program aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Democrats pushed ahead Thursday with their latest plan to challenge the governor on climate change.
Advocates of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which forces power companies to buy credits for every ton of carbon their plants emit, have praised it as an effective way to combat climate change while also boosting the state’s green-energy sector.
But Christie, a Republican who is considering a run for president in 2016, has argued that it does nothing to help the environment while at the same time increasing electricity costs in New Jersey. He announced the state’s withdrawal from the coalition in 2011.
Democrats who control the Legislature in recent years have sent Christie bills to reinstate New Jersey’s membership in the coalition, only to see the governor veto them.
Now, boosted by a recent state appellate court ruling and success they’ve had blocking another Christie initiative this year, lawmakers moved forward with their latest attempt to reverse the governor, one that they say will be successful. Christie’s representatives did not respond to a request for comment, but a spokesman for the Department of Environmental Protection said the state is making strides to prevent greenhouse gases on its own.
The Senate on Thursday approved a resolution that declares rules passed by the state DEP to formalize the withdrawal from the coalition to be in violation of the legislative intent of a 2007 law they passed after the state agreed to join the program.
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/n-j-lawmakers-ok-resolution-aimed-at-blocking-christie-opposition-to-greenhouse-gas-initiative-1.1116765#sthash.v1OuhHlP.dpuf
