Lame Global Warming Bill Goes to Governor

Bill Wolfe Senator Stephen Sweeney (D) sponsor of the RGGI bill, bears gifts

Bill Wolfe Senator Bob Smith (D) co-sponsor of the RGGI bill, hard at work today during Senate session

We have been following the progress of the “Regional Green House Gas Initiative” (RGGI) legislation. See:

Global warming bill hijacked
December 18, 2007
http://blog.nj.com/njv_bill_wolfe/2007/12/gobal_warming_bill_hijacked_ti.html

Today, the controversial bill passed both houses of the Legislature and goes to Governor Corzine for consideration.

We trust that the Governor will heed the advice of business and environmental groups and major NJ news and editorial coverage before taking action on the bill:

Bergen Record:

Plan to reduce greenhouse gas called a sellout
Friday, January 4, 2008

A parade of business groups, consumer advocates and environmentalists panned New Jersey’s plan to crack down on greenhouse gas emissions Thursday, criticizing it as too weak, too expensive or too generous to power companies.

This bill is clearly a compromise,” Lisa Jackson, the state environmental commissioner, told legislators.
http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkyMyZmZ2JlbDdmN3ZxZWVFRXl5NzI0MTE5OQ==

Courier-Post:

Wait for next session to vote on carbon plan
Monday, January 7, 2008

Trenton shouldn’t rush to approve a plan favored by utilities that would increase the price of electricity.

Rarely do business, consumer and environmental interest groups all come together on legislative proposals. Yet they have in New Jersey to oppose a plan backed by Gov. Jon Corzine to have regular auctions for utilities to pay for how much polluting carbon dioxide they would be allowed to emit into the air. The bill passed through committees in the state Senate and Assembly Thursday and is to be voted on by the full Senate and Assembly today.
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080107/OPINION/801070306/1046

Bergen Record:

Pollution measure needs cleaning up
Sunday, January 6, 2008

In its inimitable way, the New Jersey Legislature has taken another sensible idea and produced nonsensical policy. Legislation that would make the state part of a regional initiative combating global warming has become, incredibly enough, a thing reviled by most environmentalists, as well as by many of their traditional opponents in industry.
…the regional initiative’s pollution caps are so modest that they might not force any additional reductions in emissions in New Jersey. Given that and the litany of worries about this bill, it should not be rushed through the Legislature in the final hours of the session.

And if it is, Governor Corzine should not sign it.
http://www.northjersey.com/environment/13296307.html

Star Ledger:

Too many flaws in greenhouse gas bill
Sunday, December 30, 2007

The proposed RGGI law being rushed through Trenton’s lame-duck legislative session reflects a miserable New Jersey political tradition. Every special interest imaginable has reached in to grab a share of the money or other benefits.
Gov. Jon Corzine’s administration is anxious to pass an RGGI bill so New Jersey can show its commitment to the regional consortium. But the cur rent bill carries too much bag gage.
http://www.nj.com/opinion/ledger/editorials/index.ssf?/base/news-2/119899292169600.xml&coll=1

Emissions proposal misses point
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
By ALEX NUSSBAUM
STAFF WRITER

A much-heralded plan to curb global warming emissions may do little for the environment: The caps it puts on greenhouse gases are already higher than what New Jersey pumps out.
One environmental activist says the public has been misled about what politicians say is a historic plan to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

“These guys in Trenton are just blowing smoke,” said Bill Wolfe, director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, a watchdog group. “They’re getting credit for doing something for the environment when really they’re not doing anything.”
http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkzJmZnYmVsN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk3MjM4MDM0JnlyaXJ5N2Y3MTdmN3ZxZWVFRXl5Mg==

Clean-air plan aids polluters
Bergen Record
NJ – Dec 21, 2007

asked Jeff Tittel, director of the state Sierra Club. “This bill is not about the environment anymore; it’s about lobbying and special interests. …

As they used to say: “The whole world is watching”