Pallone Statement on Christie Attempt to Get Out of Clean Power Plan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 3, 2015


LONG BRANCH, NJ – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, condemned the Christie Administration’s request for a stay of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Power Plan. The Plan, the final version of which was announced earlier this month, establishes emission guidelines for states to follow in developing plans to control carbon pollution from existing power plants. These plants are the largest source of carbon pollution in the United States, and currently they can emit unlimited quantities. The Clean Power Plan will help cut carbon pollution from the power sector by 32% in 2030.

“Governor Christie’s attempt to get out of the Clean Power Plan is just the latest example of him putting his misguided political aspirations over the wellbeing of New Jersey,” said Congressman Pallone. “New Jersey can and should be a leader in our obligation to help combat climate change, but unfortunately Governor Christie clearly disagrees. The Clean Power Plan will protect the health of our children and grandchildren, create jobs in the clean energy economy, and help mitigate the disastrous effects of climate change. Governor Christie’s attempt is nothing more than a political maneuver to play to people outside of our state and it does not stand on solid ground. I am confident that the Plan will be successfully implemented in New Jersey, significantly reducing carbon pollution from power plants, helping to protect public health and the environment, and supporting economic development.”

New Jersey citizens submitted 108,780 comments to EPA in support of the Clean Power Plan, under which New Jersey’s power plants will reduce carbon emissions by 10 million metric tons by 2025. In 2013, New Jersey’s electric power sector emitted 16 million metric tons of carbon, equivalent to the yearly pollution of over 3 million cars. Furthermore, New Jersey’s five dirtiest power plants combined make up 58% of New Jersey’s power sector emissions.

The Clean Power Plan is the single largest federal action to limit greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Programs like the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) have demonstrated that efforts to curb carbon pollution can have significant positive economic and environmental impacts. From Maine to Maryland, nine states currently participate in RGGI in an effort to reduce carbon emissions. Unfortunately, Governor Chris Christie has withdrawn New Jersey from participation in the program. According to an analysis by Environment Northeast, since New Jersey withdrew from the RGGI program in 2011, the state has passed up more than $114 million in potential revenue and the state could miss out on an additional $387.1 million through 2020.