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New Jersey Superior Court’s Appellate Division will hear arguments tomorrow morning in Trenton on whether
the Christie Administration illegally repealed the rules implementing the
Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a pioneering regional agreement to
limit carbon pollution from power plants. 

The
program was developed by New Jersey and nine other northeastern states in 2005
and first implemented in 2009. In May 2011, Gov. Christie unilaterally
withdrew New Jersey from the program–the only state to leave the regional
collaboration. 


Environment New Jersey and the Natural Resources Defense Council filed the lawsuit 20 months ago, claiming that the Christie Administration never gave the public an official
opportunity to voice their opinion on the repeal of the rules implementing the
landmark program.
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The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI, is a cap-and-trade program adopted by nine Eastern states in which power companies must purchase credits through public auctions for every ton of carbon their plants emit while generating electricity. Revenue from the sale of credits goes to the states to invest in renewable energy programs. 

The January 8 hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. in the 5th Floor Appellate
Court Chambers of the Hughes Justice Complex in Trenton.
Related environmental news story:
Can climate hawks beat Chris Christie to let New Jersey rejoin RGGI?

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