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NJ’s Governor Candidates on ‘Smart Growth’


New Jersey Future asked the state’s three leading candidates for governor to respond to a questionnaire about smart growth.

The organization reports today that the responses given to six questions posed offered “many similarities-along with some nuanced differences.”

Here’s how New Jersey Future summarized the answers:

Democrat Gov. Jon Corzine, the incumbent, emphasizes steps his administration has taken, from the Global Warming Response Act to the Economic Redevelopment and Growth Grant Program, as evidence of his commitment to promote both a strong economy and a healthy environment. In a second term, he pledges that his Policy Office “will convene a State Plan cabinet working group to align state agency actions with State Plan objectives.”

Republican Christopher Christie criticizes the Governor’s failure in his first term “to coordinate and focus the efforts of multiple departments” in redevelopment activities and land-use management. He touts his own “Bringing Back Our Cities” plan, which includes tax incentives aimed at revitalizing urban areas, adding, “The Office of State Planning needs to be restored to a leadership role” in carrying out the State Plan.

Independent Christopher Daggett proposes to promote smart growth by expanding transfer-of-development-rights (TDR) programs statewide and restoring Regional Contribution Agreements (RCA) as a tool for producing new affordable-housing units in receiving municipalities. He also pledges to “reconvene state and local government officials, builders, environmentalists, business leaders and housing advocates to re-examine the State Plan.”

Read the candidates’ full answers to all six questions here.

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Want to participate in the next RGGI auction?

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Independent shaking up Jersey’s Governor’s race

In New Jersey, races for governor run the same predictable course.

Democrats and Republicans each choose a candidate. The Democrat gets the support of the teachers, construction unions and enviro groups. The Republican wins the blessing of major business organizations and each gets the editorial endorsements of some of the state’s daily newspapers.

Sure, there are other candidates on the ballot but they represent groups so far out on the fringe that even their relatives have a tough time pulling their lever.

This year is different. Voters will get to select from three credible candidates–Democrat Jon Corzine, Republican Chris Christie, and the Independent Chris Daggett.

And this time, the Independent is not some guy in a tin foil hat. Mr. Daggett has solid experience in government–both at the state and federal level–and has not only won the support of one of the state’s largest environmental organizations, the Sierra Club, but, in a real shocker, also was endorsed over the weekend by the state’s largest newspaper–the Star-Ledger.

An Independent endorsed by the Star-Ledger? Whoa, now that’s big.

Why? Because Independents don’t have a chance of winning.

Why? Because:

1. Voters are most influenced by television ad campaigns.
2. Television ad campaigns are very, very expensive.
3. Independents can’t rely on interest groups to fund ad buys.

The Star-Ledger understands all this, so why would they back the Independent?

Here’s their explanation:

The newspaper’s decision is less a rejection of Gov. Jon Corzine and Republican Chris Christie than a repudiation of the parties they represent, both of which have forfeited any claim to the trust and confidence of the people of New Jersey. They share responsibility for the state’s current plight.

Only by breaking the hold of the Democratic and Republican mandarins on the governor’s office and putting a rein on their power will the state have any hope for the kind of change needed to halt its downward economic, political and ethical spiral.

New Jersey needs radical change in Trenton. Neither of the major parties is likely to provide it. Daggett’s election would send shock waves through New Jersey’s ossified political system and, we believe, provide a start in a new direction.

It would signal the entrenched leadership of both parties — and the interest groups they regularly represent — that an ill-served and angry electorate demands something better.

The lamentable fact is that the two parties are, themselves, little more than narrow special interests. Their competition for short-term political and/or monetary gain has jeopardized the state’s long-term economic health and left it with a tarnished national reputation.

Where the major parties have differed, their differences have been inconsequential. Where they’ve been the same, their similarities have been destructive.

They have contributed equally to gross overspending in Trenton by consistently pandering to the pay, pension and retirement policies demanded by powerful public employee unions. Democrats have financed the spree with tax hikes, Republicans with borrowed money, and both with pension-fund raids.

How do we now signal them that this has got to stop if not by rejecting their anointed candidates? How if not by electing Chris Daggett?

Agree? Disagree? Tell us what do you think in the comment box below. If you don’t see one, click on the tiny ‘comments’ line to open it.

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NJ governor hopefuls on key environmental issues

The (Newark) Star-Ledger got the the state’s three gubernatorial candidates to answer questions on a number of important environmental issues today–from open-space funding and site cleanups to nuclear energy and bear hunts.

Several of the answers are refreshingly specific. You might even find a surprise or two. For example, Republican Chris Christie is the only one of the three to dismiss nuclear energy as a part of New Jersey’s energy-growth picture.

You’ll find the entire Star-Ledger interview here.

As always, we encourage you to share your point of view. Use the comment box below. If one doesn’t appear, click the tiny ‘comments’ line to activate it.

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Hate development surprises? Read this.

“Does your project development due diligence checklist include a review of resolutions passed by the Council on Affordable Housing (“COAH”)? If not, your project might be at risk, and you may not discover it until you are ready to start construction.”

That’s the alarm-bell opening paragraph in a bulletin sent by the Gibbons law firm to clients in New Jersey–especially those who have projects in the state’s Highlands region.

The alert, authored by attorneys Douglas J. Janacek and Michael Miceli, both of the firm’s Real Property & Environment practice, goes on to explain:

“Last year, Governor Corzine signed an Executive Order, which required the Highlands Council to cooperate with COAH, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the Department of Community Affairs to, among other things, ensure that municipalities in the Highlands maximize affordable housing opportunities while preserving critical environmental resources, including scarce land, water, and sewer resources, by dedicating those resources on a priority basis to the production of affordable housing.

“In response, the Highlands Council and COAH entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) to “develop a cooperative planning process that will enable each agency to carry out their respective” responsibilities. Regarding the preservation of scarce resources, the MOU required COAH to issue a “scarce resource order” for all Highlands municipalities under COAH’s jurisdiction.

“Outside the rubric of formal rulemaking (and thus, subject to little if any public scrutiny), COAH adopted a resolution implementing a scarce resource restraint on the 51 Highlands municipalities under its jurisdiction (since then, COAH has lifted the restraint on 12 Highlands municipalities that submitted third round housing element and fair share plans; it extended the deadline to submit for certification for the remaining municipalities, but kept the restraint in place for them). The restraint, which impacts developments in the Planning Area and Preservation Area of the Highlands, reserves scarce resources that may be essential to fulfill a municipality’s fair share obligation. It applies to municipal actions associated with development approvals, water allocation, and wastewater allocation.

“What does that mean to you? Essentially, in the affected Highlands municipalities, the restraint becomes an unfulfilled condition precedent to any development approval or construction activity unless the application is exempt or is formally granted a waiver.”

Interested in reading more? You’ll find the entire IN-SITES newsletter article here.

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Hate development surprises? Read this. Read More »

Greenhouse grants for NJ towns and schools


Courier-Post outdoor writer Kevin Callahan reports on a new NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) grant program designed to assist efforts by local government agencies and schools to identify and implement plans to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.

The DEP is accepting pre-applications from municipal and county governments, public school districts, county colleges and other local government agencies such as municipal utilities authorities for $2.5 million available in the first round of funding under the Local Government Greenhouse Gas Reduction Grant program.

Where’s the money coming from? Like another grant program for businesses seeking to implement energy-efficiencies (NJ offers funding for energy-efficient projects), the funding source is RGGI,
the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

What’s that?

It’s the multi-state program under which utilities and other carbon dioxide emitters pay for privilege of continuing to discharge CO2.
The money they fork over is funneled into various energy conservation projects and alternative energy production incentives. Or, at least, that’s the plan.

According to the Courier-Post, the DEP expects applicants to demonstrate that proposed projects will result in measurable reductions of greenhouse gases.

Eligible projects may include those that help local government agencies calculate and reduce their carbon footprints as well as land-use and transportation planning efforts that reduce the need to drive since vehicle exhaust contributes significantly to the state’s greenhouse gas emissions.
The DEP will also consider projects that spur development of green infrastructure such as green buildings or rooftop gardens, programs that foster resource conservation such as better management of trees, efforts to strengthen local economies through marketing of locally grown food, and outreach programs that promote public involvement in sustainability efforts.
That all sounds pretty high-minded and, with tight oversight, some good could result.

But this, after all, is New Jersey. And we all know that the scent of free public money draws political, consulting and legal sharks like a taste of blood in the water does their natural counterparts.
Who gets the grants and what they produce…only time will tell.

MORE: For information on the grant program and a copy of the pre-application, go here
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As predicted, PSEG gets to cap and trade

Against all odds.

The state’s major business associations opposed it. The environmentalists hated it. The Public Advocate’s Office warned against it. The Republicans turned up their noses and voted a united “no.”

But, as we predicted on Saturday, none of it mattered.

RGGI (nickname: Reggie), the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, legislation passed both houses of the New Jersey Legislature on Monday–the final day of the session–and will be signed into law by Governor Jon Corzine.

Why? Because PSEG, the state’s super utility wanted it, that’s why. And why did they want something that engendered such broad-based dyspepsia? For the answer, see our previous post Who’s Reggie and why is he so disliked?

At the end of that post we threw in a wisecrack about not owning PSEG stock…yet. In retrospect, we should have been on the line to our broker instead of our blogger service. On the same day the energy/environmental bill passed, PSEG stock hit a record high.

Our daily newsletter, EnviroPolitics, today carried the Gannett story on the bill’s passage —Bill environmentalists hate clears Legislature as well as Star-Ledger columnist Paul Mulshine’s observations on the cap and trade approach to carbon reduction–Let’s cap and trade these energy plans. You also should check out Ledger business writer Tom Johnson’s story–PSEG stock tops the century mark.

As predicted, PSEG gets to cap and trade Read More »

Nuclear energy support from a former foe

A national figure, in Commerce, the magazine of the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey, writes:

“Independent environmentalists have come to the conclusion that nuclear power’s electricity, produced with virtually zero greenhouse emissions, is critical if we are to overcome the challenge of global warming.”

No surprise there, you say, someone supporting nuclear energy in a business magazine. But, in this case, the author is Patrick Moore, co-founder of Greenpeace and now chairman of Greenspirit Strategies in Vancouver, British Columbia.

In the article, Moore notes that:

“A major new study, conducted for the Nuclear Energy Institute by Polestar Applied Technology, Inc., warns that without nuclear energy, Governor Corzine’s laudable goal of achieving a 10 percent reduction in CO2 emissions by 2015 cannot be met. The same holds true, the report said, for the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) goals, the benchmarks set by the Northeastern states to reduce emissions from the generation of electricity.”

The full article can be found here.

Do you think Moore’s on the right track? Click on the ‘comment’ line below and share your views with all our readers.

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‘Cap and trade’ coming to New Jersey

Some Trenton insiders are predicting that, before the end of the year, New Jersey state lawmakers will enact environmental legislation creating a “carrot-and-stick” system designed to:

– Limit CO2 emissions from electricity-generating utility plants- Raise up to $70 million annually for energy conservation, solar installation subsidies, and other programs, and- Provide financial incentives to businesses that reduce their CO2 gas emissions.This so-called “cap and trade” system is the goal of seven Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states, including New Jersey and New York. Pennsylvania has not signed onto the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative but is an “observer” the process, along with Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Enacting the legislation in New Jersey may prove a lot easier than subsequent negotiations over such key details as how much utilities have to pay and who divvies up the millions that could be raised for state coffers.

For details, we recommend the story in Sunday’s Bergen Record by environmental writer Alex Nussbaum.

Also:
Energy and Climate in New Jersey
New Jersey Energy Master Plan
DEP ties global warming goal to auto emissions lawsuit
Governors Join in Creating Regional Pacts on Climate Change
Capitol to Buy Offsets in Bid to Go Green

‘Cap and trade’ coming to New Jersey Read More »

Enviro-Events Calendar – November, 2007

The daily electronic newsletter, EnviroPolitics, accepts events information for free listings in its EnviroEvents Calendar. The calendar is updated daily and available 24/7
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November 3
4th Annual Pine Barrens Hall of Fame Awards Banquet 5 to 9 p.m., Braddock’s Tavern, 39 South Main Street, Medford, NJ. Please join us and other lovers of the Pine Barrens in celebrating heroes of Pinelands preservation. The Pine Barrens Hall of Fame Awards have been created to recognize individuals who have played a vital role in New Jersey Pinelands preservation and awareness. The 2007 Awards recognize volunteer citizen activists who whose advocacy for the Pine Barrens helped bring about the creation of the Pinelands National Reserve and the passage of the Pinelands Protection Act of 1979. Citizen Activist Honorees: Nan Hunter Walnut, Col. Elmer C. Rowley, USMCR, and Janet Jackson Gould. Educator Honorees: Terry O’Leary, Christine Raabe and George Young. PROGRAM: 5 pm: Reception (cash bar); 6 pm: Greetings and Dinner; 6:45 pm: Hall of Fame Induction and Recognition of Pinelands Educators Tickets:$45 per person. Net proceeds benefit PPA’s educational programs. Space Is Limited! For more information or ticket purchase, please contact Jane at the Pinelands Preservation Alliance at 609-859-8860 x12.

November 7
Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Stakeholder Meeting 10 a.m., New York State Museum Theater, Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York. The primary purpose of the meeting will be to allow the research team led by the University of Virginia and Resources for the Future to present their Phase-II findings and for agency staff to hear stakeholder comment on the draft report of that research and auction design issues. The agenda for the meeting, the draft Phase-II auction research report, and instructions for submitting written comments will be posted at http://www.rggi.org/ by October 26. The comment period will extend to November 15. Directions to the museum and parking information may be found Here. The meeting will start promptly at 10:30 a.m., but as check-in and registration will take some time, please plan to arrive at approximately 10 a.m. when the museum opens To facilitate check-in, please pre-register for the meeting. To pre-register, send an email to nyrggi@gw.dec.state.ny.us . Please include the phrase “Will Attend 11/07/07 RGGI Meeting” in the subject line of your email. There will be no response to this email. It is not necessary to email if you do not plan to attend this meeting. Questions? Contact Mark Lowery, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 518-402-8044, mdlowery@gw.dec.state.ny.us.

November 7
11th Annual SWEP Touchstone Award Reception 6 to 9 p.m., The Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20thStreet, Philadelphia, PA. The Society of Women Environmental Professionals of Greater Philadelphia (SWEP) will honor Liz Robinson, Executive Director of the Energy Coordinating Agency of Philadelphia,Inc., with its annual Touchstone Award at a special reception. State Representative Carole Rubley will be the keynote speaker at the event. Representative Rubley serves on the House Environmental Resourcesand Energy Committee. SWEP’s Touchstone award is given annuallyto a woman who has made outstanding and significant contributions inthe environmental professions. Past recipients include women who have made environmental careers in government, business, science and advocacy including: Kathy Klein, Executive Director of the Partnershipfor the Delaware Estuary, Sarah M. Hetznecker, P.G., a leader in the environmental consulting industry, Louise Thompson, Esq. of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Carol Collier of the Delaware Basin Commission, Marilyn Hewitt, P.G. of Roux Associates, and Dr. Ruth Patrick of theAcademy of Natural Sciences. This year’s Touchstone recipient is Liz Robinson, Executive Director of the Energy Coordinating Agency of Philadelphia, Inc. The ECA is a non-profit corporation dedicated to ensuring that low and moderate income people have access to safe, affordable and reliable sources of energy and water. ECA works to develop a sustainable energy future for the region through energy conservation and renewable energy. Together with its citywide network of Neighborhood Energy Centers,ECA provides over 50,000 energy services to more than 30,000 low income households every year. SWEP members: $20/person in advance, $25/person at door. Non-SWEP members: $30/person in advance, $35 at door. RSVP by 5 p.m. Wednesday, October 31 to touchstone.2007@yahoo.com

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Send information on your upcoming event to: Event@EnviroPolitics.com

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November 11-14
NARUC 119th Annual Convention Anaheim, California If you are responsible for regulatory affairs functions at your company, you MUST attend the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners’ Annual Convention. You will hear federal and State regulators and policymakers, consumer groups, and industry experts give their analysis on climate change, energy efficiency, natural gas markets, and disaster communications. Why read about it in the press when you can be there in person? Register Online – Click Here List of current registrants

November 13-15
2007 WASTEWISE & NPEP Conference: Building Community and Business Partnerships, Marriott Metro Center, Washington, D.C. Welcome Reception will be hosted by Anheuser-Busch and General Motors. Please join us on Tuesday, November 13th from 5– 7 pm at the Marriott Metro Center! PSEG will be hosting the Networking Reception on Wednesday, November 14th at the Capitol City Brewing Company. 2007 award winners include: Rutgers University, the City of Clifton, NJ, New Jersey Natural Gas Company and NJ Resources Corp. Revised agenda Registration

November 14-16
Geothermal Finance and Investment Summit Dolce Hayes Mansion, San Jose, CA. Visit http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=x6qouecab.0.x7ljffcab.gjkehun6.176783&ts=S0289&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.infocastinc.com%2Fgeotherm%2Fregistration.html to view the Summit agenda and register or call 818.888.4444

November 14-16
Carbon Reduction Project – Development & Finance Omni Houston Westside Hotel, Houston, TX. Carbon Reduction Project Development & Finance is the first event to assemble experienced carbon market players, developers and financiers from throughout the world to share their insights into developing, certifying and financing profitable GHG emission reduction projects. Learn how to take advantage of the burgeoning opportunities in both international and US markets. To registeror obtain more information about this unique event, please visit the event website at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=yknmefcab.0.y4kkmfcab.gjkehun6.176783&ts=S0290&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.infocastinc.com%2Fcarbonred.html, or call (818) 888-4444

November 16
Make Recycling Work for Your Business! 8 a.m. to Noon, Atlantic Cape Community College, Cape May Campus. The Cape May Solid Waste Management Plan designates 41 waste materialsfor mandatory recycling. Find out how your business can source separate these materials and comply with the law. $15 for CMCCofC members. $25 for non-members. A panel of business owners and managers representing Accommodations, Camping, Retail, Restaurant, Marina and small business industries will share their expertise on successful and effective methods of handling recycling materials. Invited speakers include: Guy Watson, NJDEP Bureau of Recycling and Planning; Charles M. Norkis, P.E., executive director, Cape May County MUA; Dominick D’Altilio, president, Association of New Jersey Recyclers, and Bridget O’Connor, Cape May County MUA Recycling Director. Information and registration: 609-465-5017. Brochure: http://www.cmcmua.com/

November 28-30
Wind Power Development Tutorial Hotel Derek, Houston, Texas. What does it really take to bring a wind farm successfully to market? What can the numbers look like, and what kinds of business models and financing vehicles will be best suited to your unique needs? This course will offer utilities and independent developers still new to wind power the essential tools and orientation to move ahead with confidence. It will help existing developers to bulletproof their plans and projects, while potential investors, partners and financiers will gain insights into the inner dynamics of wind business models so they can sharpen their due diligence, credit and valuation analysis. Information and registration at: www.infocastinc.com/winddev.html

November 29-30
5th Annual Volunteer Water Monitoring Summit Camden County Boathouse at Cooper River, in Pennsauken, NJ. Presented by The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, in cooperation with the Watershed Watch Network Advisory Council and Camden County Park Systems. This year’s theme is Protecting NJ’s Water Resources: Improving Communication between Stewards. The goal is to increase efforts between local and governmental agencies. Keynote speaker is Maya von Rossom, the Delaware Riverkeeper. The audience for this forum includes local volunteers, watershed associations, volunteer program coordinators, private and public partners, academics, federal, state and local government representatives and other environmental stakeholders. Agenda and registration at: www.cookce.rutgers.edu/vmsummit For information, contact: Dalynn R. Knigge at: (732) 932-9271 x.622

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