Search Results for: RGGI

The right and left debate RGGI in New Jersey

On May 26, 2011, Republican Gov. Chris Christie punched New Jersey’s environmental community in the nose with this announcement: Gov: NJ’s pulling out of climate-change compact, RGGI.

Within days, Democrats in the state legislature were holding hearings to question the governor’s decision  (NJ’s withdrawal from RGGI contested in Assembly) and introducing legislation A4108/S2946 to keep the state in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative compact.

Since then, the legislation cleared both houses along partisan lines and was delivered to the governor. As expected, he vetoed it on August 19.

But RGGI (pronounced Reggie)  is not yet dead, as its allies are now pushing for a vote this fall to override the veto. And they have a hot new argument to use.

Secret meeting between governor and industrialist

Last week, blogs and newspapers reported that, before he delivered his surprise RGGI-withdrawl pronouncement, Christie met secretly with fossil-fuel billionaire David Koch (pronounced Coke) who is financing a number of right-wing think tanks and activist groups opposed to carbon-control efforts like RGGI.  

Op-Eds, pro and con

With that as a backdrop, let us point you to two Bergen Record op-ed pieces that take up the RGGI stay or RGGI go debate. 

Writing on September 1 in support of Governor Christie’s decision (Taking sides on the environment) was Mike Proto, the communications director for Americans for Prosperity New Jersey.

Writing in rebuttal of Proto’s piece on September 11 (Facts on RGGI contradict its critics) were Peter Shattuck, the carbon markets policy analyst at Environment Northeast and Xavier Walter, who is president and co-founder of The Energy Team
in Southampton, NJ.

We suggest that you read them both and let us know what you think in the comment box below. If the box is not visible, click the tiny ‘comments’ line, also below. If you’re not sure where you stand on the issue, don’t worry. With every seat in both houses of the State Legislature up for grabs in the November election, and environmental issues playing their normal role, you can expect to read a god deal more about RGGI between now and then.   


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NJ’s withdrawal from RGGI contested in Assembly

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s decision to remove the state from a regional effort to combat global warming prompted committee testimony, pro and con, in Trenton yesterday plus the announcement of legislation designed to thwart the withdrawal.

In the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee, business and environmental organizations, respectively, testified for and against dropping participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI–pronounced “reggie”). The program charges industry for carbon emissions and uses the funds to support alternative energy projects and energy conservation measures. 

Business said RGGI was one of several government initiatives that have made New Jersey’s electricity costs the highest in the nations. That, they say, has forced companies to leave the state and has kept new business  away.   

Environmentalists said that RGGI and funds created by Societal Benefits surcharges on consumers’ electricity bills has helped propel New Jersey into the #2 spot in the nation for solar energy installations, has created new ‘green energy’ jobs, and has helped businesses reduce their energy costs through the installation of solar systems.

The state Chamber of Commerce argued that Ocean Spray’s recent decision to relocate its manufacturing plant from Bordentown to Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley was at least partially driven by the Garden State’s high energy costs. The Sierra Club countered with a claim that Budweiser would have closed its Newark brewery for the same reason except for a RGGI-funded solar installation that helped the company trim its energy bill.

The claims and counter claims went back and forth.

Two former RGGI champions–the state’s Department of Environmental Protection and New Jersey’s largest energy company, PSE&G are now disavowing it.

Strong political undercurrents–local and national–are amping up the debate.

Sierra Club spokesman Jeff Tittel said that the governor’s decision was influenced by the right-wing, GOP fundraising Koch brothers whom he described as “the largest mountain top miners in the United States.” 

An unbiased observer of yesterday’s debate might have had difficulty deciding who and what to believe. But one thing is clear:  We’ll be hearing a lot reggie-talk in the months ahead.

Below, you’ll find news stories about the meeting and about legislation that two Democratic committee chairmen are introducing to block the state’s RGGI departure. That legislation also seeks to prevent the governor from transferring funds raised for alternative energy and conservation programs to other uses, like balancing the budget.   

You can listen to hear the entire committee debate here.

Related: 
Top DEP aide tells Assembly RGGI was ineffective
Your clean energy funds at work
N.J. Democrats try to lock in emissions deal 

 

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Have an opinion on the governor’s RGGI decision, on the new legislation, or the climate change issue in general? Please share it with your fellow EP Blog readers via the comment box below.  If one isn’t visible, activate it by click on the tiny ‘comments’ line. If you encounter a problem, tell us at: editor@enviropolitics.com

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NJ Assembly committee meeting today on RGGI pullout

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s decision to pull out of the Regional Greenhouse
Gas Initiative (RGGI) pact will be on the firing line this morning at 10 in the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee.

New Jersey is one of 10 states participating in the program that seeks to reduce carbon dioxide pollution in the Northeast by 10 percent by 2018. Christie’s recent announcement 
was cheered by business organizations and booed by environmental groups.
Invited guests will testify at today’s hearing, chaired by Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula.

Listen to the hearing live here. After its conclusion, a rebroadcast will be available.                              

Related:
Gov. Christie announces N.J. pulling out of regional environmental initiative
New Jersey Quits RGGI, Bans Coal Plants
Christie Pulls New Jersey From 10-State Climate Initiative
Gov: NJ’s pulling out of climate-change compact, RGGI
 

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Gov: NJ’s pulling out of climate-change compact, RGGI


[Updated at 2:37 p.m. on Friday, May 27, 2011 to include related news stories]

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie pleased business groups but outraged the state’s environmental community today by announcing that he’s pulling the state out of RGGI,
the 10-state regional cap-and-trade system that charges industries for CO2 emissions
and funnels the money into renewable energy and energy-conservation programs. 


At a news conference, Christie acknowledged the validity of climate change science but labeled the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative as a ‘gimmicky program” that had failed to combat the problem of global warming and was only driving up the cost of electric energy in the state. News conference video.

NJ Business and Industry Association President Philip Kirschner hailed the decision.

“RGGI’s cap-and-trade provisions increase costs to New Jersey businesses and consumers who are already paying some of the highest electricity rates in the nation,” he said.  “New Jersey’s participation in RGGI, however, has virtually no positive impact on the environment.  Even if the state meets its greenhouse-gas reduction goals, it would have an infinitesimal effect on the overall generation of greenhouse gases.”


Environmental and smart-growth organizations denounced the governor’s decision.

Peter Kasabach, executive director of New Jersey Future, said:

“Contrary to the governor’s assertion, there is no evidence that businesses have been negatively affected by New Jersey’s participation in RGGI.  In fact, over the long run, RGGI
is expected to make our companies more competitive, by increasing the supply of electricity from alternative sources, reducing demand through energy efficiency measures and bringing down the price of electricity for all users. The proceeds from RGGI would also provide financially strapped municipalities with resources to plan for sustainable land-use and transportation projects that reduce carbon emissions and energy use.”


“I’m glad the governor went to global warming school but he didn’t learn his lesson,” said David Pringle, political director of New Jersey Environmental Federation, which backed Christie for the top office.

Matt Elliott of Environment New Jersey said the announcement “marks a grim day for New Jersey’s historic leadership on clean energy and global warming solutions.” 

“For over a decade, New Jersey has lead the nation in the effort to fight global warming and promote clean energy.  Governor Christie’s announcement today undermines a decade’s worth of progress and leadership in New Jersey, and, if he is successful, could set us behind our neighboring states working to end the dirty and destructive addiction to fossil fuels,” Elliott said.


The harshest remarks came from the Sierra Club‘s Jeff Tittle, a constant critic of the Christie Administration. 

“Christie is taking the side of corporate polluters and the coal industry over the environment and health of the people of New Jersey,” said Tittel. “As part of his attempt to become a national politician he would rather pander to the National Republican Party then do what is right for the people of New Jersey.”

Tittel called the decision “a tax cut for corporate polluters” that was “pushed by the Tea Party backed Americans for Prosperity, a front group for oil and coal interests.”
 
There will be more reaction in the days ahead and it will be interesting to see how members of the state legislature react to the governor’s decision. 

Related:
Christie calls Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative a gimmick and failure 


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Want to participate in the next RGGI auction?

Interested in learning about the procedures
and qualifications necessary to participate in the next Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Region RGGI auction to be held on December 2, 2009?

You’ll get a chance to learn all you need in a free webinar that will be presented by the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, Inc (RGGI) from 2 to 3 p.m. on Thursday, October 8.

The on-line seminar, which is open to all, will review the auction format, forms that need to be submitted, and bidder qualification processes. No registration is required. To access the webinar audio, dial the teleconference access number: (888) 875-4624 and enter
the participant code, 555661#.

For more information on the webinar and on RGGI, visit our
Enviro-Business News page.

While you’re there, sign up for free email alerts and consider submitting your own news releases for publication.

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RGGI focus of NJ Regional Energy Summit

New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine will be the keynote speaker when government and energy industry leaders gather at Rutgers University on April 15 for the New Jersey Regional Energy Summit.

They’ll be focusing on the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and the use of energy-efficiency measures to help meet RGGI’s emissions targets.

This (by-invitation-only) event is the second in a series of four Regional Energy Summits leading to the Council’s National Energy Summit in Washington on September 23-24, 2009.

Additional participants will include Ralph Izzo, President and CEO of PSEG; Richard L. McCormick, President of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey; Dominic Pileggi, President and CEO of Thomas & Betts Corporation; Shirley Ann Jackson, Vice Chair of the Council on Competitiveness and President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; and Deborah L. Wince-Smith, president of the Council on Competitiveness.
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EnviroPolitics Weekend Legislative Report for February 12, 2024

Editor’s Note: We are experiencing technical difficulties that delayed the publication of this report and altered its normal format.

New Jersey Legislative Report for February 12, 2024

Bill: A3577
Sponsors: Collazos-Gill (D27)
Summary: Provides CBT credit for the development of anaerobic digestion facilities that process food waste.
History: 02/08/2024 — Introduced and referred to Assembly Environment, Natural Resources and Solid Waste Committee.

Bill: A3633
Sponsors: Murphy (D7)
Summary: Establishes School Plastics Upcycling Grant Program in DEP to provide proportional awards to eligible schools based on pro rata share of plastics collected, by each school, for upcycling purposes; appropriates $5 million.
History: 02/08/2024 — Proposed for introduction.

Bill: A3645
Sponsors: Calabrese (D36)
Summary: Establishes low-carbon transportation fuel standard program in DEP.
History: 02/08/2024 — Proposed for introduction.

Bill: A3697
Sponsors: Spearman (D5); Park (D37)
Summary: Appropriates $500,000 from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues and “2009 Farmland Preservation Fund” to State Agriculture Development Committee for municipal planning incentive grants for farmland preservation purposes.
History: 02/08/2024 — Proposed for introduction.

Bill: A3698
Sponsors: Reynolds-Jackson (D15); Freiman (D16)
Summary: Appropriates $1.723 million from constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues and “2009 Farmland Preservation Fund” to State Agriculture Development Committee for grants to certain nonprofit organizations for farmland preservation purposes.
History: 02/08/2024 — Proposed for introduction.

Bill: ACR114
Sponsors: Murphy (D7)
Summary: Urges DEP and EDA to establish plastics recycling marketplace.
History: 02/08/2024 — Proposed for introduction.

Bill: S209
Sponsors: Smith (D17); Pou (D35) +1
Summary: Provides CBT tax credit for retrofit of existing warehouses with solar-ready zone once solar panels are installed.
History: 01/09/2024 — Introduced and referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee.
02/05/2024 — Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Senate. Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

Bill: S212
Sponsors: Smith (D17); Greenstein (D14)
Summary: Directs BPU to update interconnection standards for Class I renewable energy sources and develop fixed fee structure for interconnection costs.
History: 01/09/2024 — Introduced and referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee.
01/29/2024 — Transferred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee.
02/05/2024 — Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Senate. Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

Bill: S225
Sponsors: Smith (D17); Greenstein (D14) +1
Summary: Establishes incentive program for installation of energy storage systems.
History: 01/09/2024 — Introduced and referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee.
02/05/2024 — Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Senate. Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

Bill: S1392 Sca (1R)
Sponsors: Singleton (D7); McKeon (D27) +9
Summary: Establishes Office of Clean Energy Equity in BPU; directs the establishment of certain clean energy, energy efficiency, and energy storage programs for overburdened communities; makes change to community solar program.
History: 01/09/2024 — Introduced and referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee.
02/05/2024 — Reported out of committee with committee amendments, 2nd reading in Senate. Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

Bill: S2557
Sponsors: Steinhardt (R23)
Summary: Establishes requirements for the sale and planting of running bamboo; requires recordkeeping of certain violations and consideration thereof as grounds for license or registration review.
History: 02/08/2024 — Introduced and referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee.

Bill: S2592
Sponsors: Bucco (R25)
Summary: Creates alternate voting members on county agriculture development boards.
History: 02/08/2024 — Introduced and referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee.

Bill: S2593
Sponsors: Bucco (R25)
Summary: Authorizes use of certain constitutionally dedicated CBT revenues for grants for prevention and remediation of harmful algal blooms.
History: 02/08/2024 — Introduced and referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee.

Bill: S2594
Sponsors: Bucco (R25)
Summary: Appropriates $28,670,924 in 2003 and 1992 bond act monies for loans for dam restoration and repair projects and inland waters projects.
History: 02/08/2024 — Introduced and referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee.

Bill: S2595
Sponsors: Bucco (R25)
Summary: Establishes bee-friendly habitat pilot program in the Department of Agriculture; appropriates $1 million.
History: 02/08/2024 — Introduced and referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee.

Bill: S2654
Sponsors: Greenstein (D14)
Summary: Directs BPU to conduct a study to determine whether microgrid and distributed energy resource deployment will reduce the length of power outages.
History: 02/08/2024 — Proposed for introduction.

Bill: S2690
Sponsors: Cruz-Perez (D5)
Summary: Requires State entities to recycle certain materials and provide recycling bins in State buildings.
History: 02/08/2024 — Proposed for introduction.

Pennsylvania General Assembly

SB 1054 (Yaw) RGGI Regulation Abrogation
Referred to ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, Feb. 2, 2024
Reported as committed from ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, Feb. 5, 2024
First consideration, Feb. 5, 2024
Second consideration, Feb. 6, 2024

EnviroPolitics: 2002-2024 All rights reserved, 7 Williams Lane, Yardley, Pa. 19067 Editor@EnviroPolitics.com – 609-577-9017

EnviroPolitics Weekend Legislative Report for February 12, 2024 Read More »

Union questions feasibility of enviros’ NJIT power source alternative

By Colleen Wilson, NorthJersey.com

Construction industry leaders have attacked a recent study promoted by environmentalists that pushed a green energy alternative to NJ Transit’s controversial plan to build a fossil fuel power plant for its train lines.

The study, released earlier this month, argued that a hybrid renewable energy microgrid is feasible to help power NJ Transit’s power needs during an unexpected outage from a major storm or other disruption, as opposed to the fossil-fuel-burning power plant in Kearny that the agency is currently considering.

“Environmentalists lack the basic understanding of construction around these types of projects,” argued Greg Lalevee, business manager for International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825, in a letter to NJ Transit President and CEO Kevin Corbett.

A map of NJ Transit's power project called Transitgrid. The star represents where a gas-fired power plant would be built. It shows the rail lines to which it would supply electricity.

The Transitgrid project has become a flashpoint of controversy since the idea was born years ago. NJ Transit developed the idea as a way to increase resilience on its train lines after they were unable to operate for days due to Superstorm Sandy in 2012. The agency has received approval for a federal grant to cover the majority of project costs.

Read the full story here

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NJ prepares to expand zero-emission incentive program to include heavy-duty trucks

By Ryan Witkowski, Land Line

A New Jersey program designed to offer small businesses incentives for purchasing new zero-emission vehicles will soon be shifting into phase two.

On July 19, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority announced the approval of $45 million in funding for the expansion of the New Jersey Zero Emission Incentive Program. The additional funds – which double the amount already dedicated to the program – come from the state’s Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative allocation.

Related environmental news story:
DOE prediction: Zero Emissions Medium- and Heavy-Duty Electric Trucks Will Be Cheaper than Diesel-Powered Trucks by 2035

On top of the increased funding, the NJEDA Board approved two major changes to the program. Eligibility for the incentive program in phase two will be available statewide – expanding beyond the four pilot communities in the first phase. Additionally, eligibility in phase two will be expanded to include heavy-duty vehicle classes.

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According to the NJEDA, as of last month, 144 NJ ZIP applications had been approved totaling $32.2 million in vouchers for zero-emission medium-duty vehicles. Of the entities approved so far, over 90% are small businesses. Additionally, approximately 57% are businesses that are minority-owned and/or woman-owned.

The authority anticipates an additional 200 to 400 vouchers to be awarded because of the program’s expansion. Currently, NJ ZIP applications are being moved to a waitlist. The NJEDA anticipates opening applications, including those for businesses in newly eligible parts of the state, in the coming months.

Read the full story here

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A realistic climate agenda for Pennsylvania. Even with Republicans in control of the state legislature

By Rep. Greg Vitali, Trib Live

There are many things Pennsylvania state government should do this year to address climate change — but won’t, given the political composition of the state Legislature. But a few significant things are possible.

Pennsylvania emitted about 215 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2017 (the most recent data available), making it the fifth largest emitting state in the nation. As such, Pennsylvania should be doing things like increasing its Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard, expanding the energy conservation provisions of Act 129, and joining the Transportation and Climate Initiative Program. But with the state House and Senate firmly in Republican control, it’s unlikely that any of these things will happen this year.

But Pennsylvania can join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), approve methane reduction regulations for the oil and gas industry, enact legislation to expand electric vehicles infrastructure, and enact legislation to authorize community solar development. These measures are possible because they can be done either by Gov. Tom Wolf through executive action or have the support of interest groups beyond the environmental community such as utility companies, labor unions or farmers.

Politics is the art of the possible, and these four things are possible this year.

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Joining RGGI is the most important thing Pennsylvania can do this year to address climate change. RGGI is an 11-state cap-and-trade program designed to reduce greenhouse emissions from the electric power sector (mainly from coal- and gas-fired power plants). Joining RGGI could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 188 million tons over the next decade, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. RGGI regulations are expected to be finalized late this year unless blocked by the General Assembly. A bill to block RGGI will be introduced soon.

Methane is the second-most prevalent greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide, and Pennsylvania’s natural gas industry is a major methane emitter. Regulations to reduce methane leakage from unconventional gas well operations are on track to be approved later this year. These regulations would result in methane emissions reductions of about 75,603 tons per year, according to the DEP. This is the equivalent to about 1,890,075 tons of carbon dioxide per year.

Read the full opinion piece here

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