The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) was selected as the task force’s primary focus at Issues Workshop on October 29, 2011. By Executive Order, Gov. Christie withdrew New Jersey from RGGI, a 10-state initiative to reduce greenhouse gasses through cap-and-trade. To override this Executive Order, the Legislature needs a simple majority in both houses. See http://rggi.org for more info on RGGI.
Other possible focus issues included:
- Fracking. There is a meeting of the Delaware River Basin Commission (a federal commission) scheduled for November 21 at the War Memorial, at which a vote about whether to allow fracking in the Delaware River Basin is scheduled to occur.
Late breaking news: The Delaware River Basin Commission’s November 21, 2011 vote has been cancelled. The vote was to seek approval of regulations that would have allowed shale gas drilling (fracking) in the Delaware River Basin. The cancellation is the second time the vote has been put off. This time it is believed to be in response to an announcement by the Governor of Delaware that he would vote against the regulatory/drilling proposal. There will still be a rally in Trenton on November 21. http://www.delawareriverkeeper.org or www.fwwatch.org for more information.
- Environmental Rules and Standards. There is a push to weaken NJ’s current regulations to the lower standards of the federal government.
- Energy Conservation
- Susquehanna Roseland Power Lines. There are plans to fast track the enlargement.
PureGen Update: SCS, a Massachusetts-based company, proposed a coal plant in Linden, NJ. This is currently on the wait and see list. The president of the BPU said at the last hearing on the Draft Master Energy Plan that there would be no new coal in New Jersey. People are still concerned
The Task Force is seeking opportunities to collaborate with New Jersey environmental groups. The Task Force voted to join the New Jersey Environmental Federation. The group will also look at the NJ League of Conservation Voters, and Interfaith Power & Light, a multi-faith organization on global climate change that provides education materials, to identify opportunities for collaboration.