From dangerous heat waves combined with increasing smog pollution, to destructive flash flooding events and toxic algae blooms closing our largest freshwater lakes, New Jersey is feeling the impacts of our climate and ecological emergency.
The increasing urgency of our climate crisis is why Governor Murphy campaigned on a plan to move New Jersey quickly onto 100% clean energy. Yet his draft Energy Master Plan (EMP) released in July fails to meet the urgency with which we must act, and in many cases makes the problems we face even worse.
Now we must use our voices to demand a real plan to avert climate catastrophe and ensure environmental justice, one that includes an immediate moratorium on fossil fuel projects and immediate and aggressive cuts to existing sources of pollution, with a priority on reducing pollution in our most overburdened communities.
In September, the NJ Board of Public Utilities will be hosting the final public hearings on the EMP. We need as many people as possible to join us to witness, support and/or testify even for just a few minutes. This is our last chance to amplify our demand for a fair transition to a 100% clean energy economy!
In association with these public hearings, we will hold a rally at each to call for a real climate and clean energy plan for New Jersey. Please join us if you are concerned about the impacts of climate change and dirty energy pollution!
Tuesday, September 3 in Hackensack:
- Rally at 5 pm
- Hearing from 6 to 8 pm
- Hackensack Administration Building, Freeholder’s Public Meeting Room, 5th floor, 1 Bergen County Plaza, Hackensack, NJ
- Facebook event link here
Thursday, September 5 in Toms River:
- Rally at 5 pm
- Hearing from 6 to 8 pm
- LMH Room, Toms River Municipal Complex, 33 Washington Street, Toms River, NJ J
- Facebook event link here
Thursday, September 12 in Camden:
- Any time between 12pm – 7:30 pm – stay for as long or as little as you can!
- The Kroc Center, 1865 Harrison Ave, Camden, NJ 08105
Please sign up with BPU today to make a public comment at a hearing: https://nj.gov/emp/get/
And RSVP with us so we know you’re coming in whatever role you choose: https://forms.gle/LeEvkPKp7EGMxg6J8
Whether you plan to make a comment or not, we need you with us!
Sample talking points to help get you started, and a lengthier analysis, can be found here.
In addition to combating the climate crisis, a real plan for 100% clean energy in NJ must center the needs of low income communities of color like Camden, which have long suffered the disproportionate impacts of our polluting energy system. These environmental justice communities face higher rates of premature death from cancer, respiratory disease, asthma, heart attacks, and strokes. Rising temperatures also hit the city harder than the suburbs. The paved landscape traps extreme heat that threatens seniors, babies, and other vulnerable populations, and ozone alerts keep kids indoors on bad air days. Much of Camden, including low-income housing communities and the airport, lie in flood-prone areas and are increasingly vulnerable to climate change impacts, and many lack the resources to get out of harm’s way and rebuild after extreme weather events.
These are just some of the reasons why Governor Murphy must amend his draft energy plan to include immediate emissions reductions, and prioritize these reductions in environmental justice communities. In order to insure a fair transition to a clean energy economy, New Jersey must also invest in job creation, training, and resource allocation to impacted workers and environmental justice communities alike.
This is an urgent moment in our movement for a livable and healthy future. We need a strong presence at this last public hearing in Camden to demonstrate that the people of New Jersey demand a real plan for a healthy and renewable New Jersey!